HB361 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Motor vehicles, automated commercial motor vehicles and vehicles with teleoperation systems, approval by ALEA of vehicle required, criminal penalties, routes approval by Transportation, adoption of rules, Act 2019-496, 2019 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 32-9B-1, 32-9B-2, 32-9B-3, 32-9B-6, 32-9B-7 am'd.

Summary

HB361 would regulate automated and teleoperation-equipped commercial vehicles in Alabama, including approvals, routes, penalties, and conditions for remote operation.

What This Bill Does

It requires automated CMVs and CMVs with teleoperation systems to be tested and approved by ALEA and the Department of Transportation before use, with penalties including fines and possible impoundment for violations. It requires routes for these vehicles to be approved by the Department of Transportation and allows regulators to adopt rules governing their operation. It also allows certain vehicles to operate without a conventional driver if they meet federal and state requirements and carry at least $2 million in liability insurance, and it permits a remote in-state driver to operate one such vehicle at a time under specific legal rules. The bill notes a local-funding exemption under a constitutional provision related to local expenditures.

Who It Affects

• Operators and fleet owners of automated CMVs and teleoperation CMVs (and remote drivers) who must obtain approvals, follow DOT-approved routes, meet safety and insurance requirements, and may face fines or impoundment for noncompliance.
• State regulators and insurers (Ala. State Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation) who would develop rules, approve vehicles and routes, enforce compliance, and ensure liability coverage and safety standards.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: automated commercial motor vehicle, automated driving system, remote driver, teleoperation system, and related concepts.
• Before operation, an automated CMV or CMV with a teleoperation system must be tested and approved by ALEA and the Department of Transportation; violations carry a $100 fine per violation and the vehicle may be impounded or immobilized.
• Routes for automated and teleoperation CMVs must be chosen and permitted by the Department of Transportation.
• Regulators (ALEA, Department of Revenue, DOT) may adopt rules for operation of automated CMVs and teleoperation systems; DOT retains exclusive authority over oversize/overweight permits for these vehicles.
• A CMV may operate without a conventional driver if it meets criteria including federal/state compliance, proper registration, federal safety certification, ability to reach a minimal risk condition, and at least $2,000,000 in liability coverage; such operations must occur on DOT-approved routes.
• A commercial motor vehicle with a teleoperation system may be operated by a remote in-state driver, who can operate only one such vehicle at a time; the remote driver is the operator for traffic law purposes and must hold the proper license, with accident reporting and mandated testing (e.g., blood, breath, or urine) coordinated with law enforcement; the remote driver’s tests results must be shared with Alabama authorities.
• Teleoperation vehicles and routes must meet federal and state requirements, including certification and at least $2,000,000 liability coverage, and must be able to achieve a reasonable safe minimal risk condition in case of system failure.
• The act includes a local expenditure provision noting it is exempt from local approval requirements due to exceptions related to creating a new crime or altering crime definitions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles