Autonomous Vehicle Legislation Passes Senate

Liz Gullett

Sep 09, 2016

On Thursday, the Senate passed a four-bill bipartisan package of legislation dealing with autonomous vehicles. The legislation would allow autonomous vehicles on streets and highways throughout the state. Along with setting up regulatory framework, it creates the Michigan Council of Future Mobility that would be tasked with providing policy recommendations on an annual basis. The bills also define a mobility research center, allow manufacturers to participate under certain criteria, and outlines when such a vehicle can travel on streets and highways. The state, including Governor Rick Snyder, have been vocally supportive of creating a test track for autonomous vehicles in Ypsilanti. “The Governor first made his intentions clear during his 2016 State of the State address, when he called for the former Willow Run Powertrain plant to be used as a test track. The state is moving toward making Michigan a nationwide leader in the research and development of autonomous vehicles,” state Tony Des Chenes of MLC.

The legislation has been referred to the House Communications and Technology Committee for further consideration.

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