SJR55 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Motor vehicles, self-driving vehicles, Joint Legislative Committee established to study
Summary: SJR55 creates a joint Alabama legislative committee to study self-driving vehicles, assess safety and economic impacts, and consider needed legislation, with a report due in 2018.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a 10-member committee (5 Senate members and 5 House members) appointed by leadership. The appointments must reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity. The committee will study all aspects of self-driving vehicles, including public safety, economic impact, and how existing state laws affect testing, and members will receive compensation, per diem, and travel expenses. It will engage with industry stakeholders, report findings and any proposed legislation to the Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore by the 30th legislative day of the 2018 Regular Session, and then be dissolved.

Who It Affects
Members of the Alabama Senate and House appointed to the committee will participate in the study and receive compensation and support.
Automotive/tech industry stakeholders and the general public will be engaged through the committee’s work, and any proposed legislation could affect testing and use of self-driving vehicles in Alabama.

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Establishes the Joint Legislative Committee to Study Self-Driving Vehicles with 5 Senate members and 5 House members, and requires diversity in appointments; defines the study scope (public safety, economic impact, and testing laws).
Provision 2: Sets the reporting deadline (by the 30th legislative day of the 2018 Regular Session), dissolution after reporting, mandates engagement with industry stakeholders, requires leadership to be elected at first meeting, and provides clerical support and compensation for members.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Resolutions, Legislative