SPONSOR: Fitzwater
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Emerging Issues by a vote of 13 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 11 to 1.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 592.
This bill sets out the requirements for and prohibitions against the operation and use of a personal delivery device.
A "personal delivery device" is defined as a powered device operated primarily on sidewalks and crosswalks and intended primarily for the transport of property on public rights-of-way, and is capable of navigating with or without the active control or monitoring of a natural person.
The bill allows a personal delivery device to operate on any county or municipal sidewalk, crosswalk or roadway as long as the device does not interfere with motor vehicles, traffic, or block a public right-of-way. A personal delivery device shall have all of the rights and responsibilities as a pedestrian, must display a unique identifying number, and be equipped to identify the personal delivery device operator. When operating on a sidewalk or crosswalk the device's maximum speed is 10 miles per hour and must be equipped with front and rear lighting.
The bill requires each personal delivery device operator to maintain a general liability coverage insurance policy of at least $100,000 for damages arising from the combined operations of personal delivery devices under a personal delivery device operator's control.
A personal delivery device shall not transport hazardous material as specified in the bill.
The bill does not restrict a local government from regulating the use of personal delivery devices on highways or pedestrian areas.
This bill is similar to HB 2290 (2020).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill allows Missouri to be innovative. The bill also helps small businesses who can have regular and personal delivery service. The devices are not dangerous because humans will monitor these devices at all times while in use.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Fitzwater; Fedex Corporation; Missouri Retailers Association; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Amazon Services, LLC.
Testifying against the bill was Arnie Dienoff, who provided written testimony.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say the bill restricts cities from regulating themselves. The House Committee Substitute allows for cities to regulate.
Testifying on the bill was City of Kansas City.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: