This bill mandates the North Dakota Department of Transportation to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim focused on the regulatory and statutory framework necessary for the operation of autonomous and semiautonomous vehicles on the state's highway system. The study will address several key areas, including assessing the readiness of the state's infrastructure for these technologies, reviewing accident and traffic data with independent oversight, evaluating the need for rules regarding accident liability, and identifying vulnerabilities related to privacy and data security, along with proposing solutions.

The findings and recommendations from this study, along with any necessary legislation to implement these recommendations, must be reported to the legislative management by August 1, 2026. This initiative aims to ensure that North Dakota is prepared for the integration of advanced vehicle technologies while addressing safety, liability, and privacy concerns.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 39-01-01