HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

220

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE LEGAL PREPARATION TASK FORCE.

 

 


     WHEREAS, nearly every major automaker worldwide is working diligently toward deploying autonomous vehicles, or vehicles that drive with little or no human intervention; and

 

     WHEREAS, autonomous vehicles benefit society by lessening accidents and related injuries and deaths, reducing traffic-related stress, lessening greenhouse gas emissions, easing traffic congestion, and providing transportation for those unable to drive; and

 

     WHEREAS, international companies in several locations have begun using autonomous vehicles for commercial purposes, and current autonomous vehicle industry trends suggest overwhelmingly that all autonomous vehicles will be electric, which could contribute significantly to Hawaii's clean energy goals; and

 

     WHEREAS, twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. have enacted legislation related to autonomous vehicles; and

 

     WHEREAS, governors in eleven states, including Hawaii, have issued executive orders related to autonomous vehicles; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite the trends toward eventual adoption of autonomous vehicles, Hawaii law is silent with respect to autonomous vehicle testing or use; and

 

WHEREAS, several factors make Hawaii an ideal location for autonomous vehicle testing and use, including:

 

     (1)  A lack of shared state borders, which mitigates jurisdictional concerns;

 

     (2)  Weather that is ideal for autonomous vehicle batteries and calm enough for autonomous vehicles to easily navigate;

 

     (3)  Predictable yet varied microclimates and traffic patterns that allow testing in different conditions on short notice; and

 

     (4)  A robust telecommunications infrastructure that includes wired and wireless infrastructure, multiple cloud providers, and ample undersea fiber optic capacity to all our neighbors, including the continental United States and all other countries; and

 

     WHEREAS, adaptation of any new industry and technology presents significant legal and societal challenges; and

 

     WHEREAS, without testing and regulation of the inevitable autonomous vehicle industry, the State is at risk of lawsuits and societal confusion, among other concerns; and

 

     WHEREAS, the adaptation and testing of autonomous vehicles should be examined for the State to prepare for the legal and regulatory implications of transitioning to autonomous vehicles; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the Senate concurring, that the Attorney General is requested to convene an autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force to prepare Hawaii for the legal and regulatory implications of transitioning to autonomous vehicles; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force is requested to:

 

     (1)  Examine existing laws across United States jurisdictions relating to legal and insurance regulation of autonomous vehicles; and

 

     (2)  Make recommendations relating to legal and insurance regulation of autonomous vehicles in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force include the following:

 

     (1)  The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, who shall serve as the chair of the task force;

 

     (2)  The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or the Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The Director of Transportation, or the Director's designee;

 

     (4)  Three members of the Senate designated by the President of the Senate;

 

     (5)  The Chair of the House Committee on Judiciary;

 

     (6)  The Chair of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce;

 

     (7)  The Chair of the House Committee on Transportation;

 

     (8)  The Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, or the Mayor's designee;

 

     (9)  The Mayor of the County of Hawaii, or the Mayor's designee;

 

    (10)  The Mayor of the County of Maui, or the Mayor's designee; and

 

    (11)  The Mayor of the County of Kauai, or the Mayor's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force is requested to invite representatives from other entities to participate in the task force, including but not limited to:

 

     (1)  A manufacturer of autonomous vehicles;

 

     (2)  An insurer of autonomous vehicles;

 

     (3)  A vehicle trade association; and

 

     (4)  Other stakeholders focused on autonomous vehicles; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force is requested to submit a preliminary report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than December 1, 2019; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force is requested to submit a final report to the Legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than December 1, 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Attorney General; Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Director of Transportation; Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; Mayor of the County of Hawaii; Mayor of the County of Maui; and Mayor of the County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

Attorney General to Convene an Autonomous Vehicle Legal Preparation Task Force