Autonomous Vehicle Legislation Stalled By Senate Democrats

Autonomous Vehicle Legislation Stalled By Senate Democrats

The legislation, which establishes a regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles operating on American roads, contains an amendment sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and supported by the Auto Care Association that would create a federal advisory committee to provide recommendations to Congress on consumer control of vehicle data.

From BodyShop Business

Photo credit: iStock.com/Karneg

Five Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a letter to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) requesting more stringent safety measures be inserted into Senate Bill 1885, or the “American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies” (AV START) Act.

The legislation, which establishes a regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles operating on American roads, contains an amendment sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and supported by the Auto Care Association that would create a federal advisory committee to provide recommendations to Congress on consumer control of vehicle data.

Opposition by these five senators has stalled the bill, which remains to be voted on by the full Senate.

Signed by Sens. Feinstein (D-Calif.), Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Markey (D-Mass.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Udall (D-N.M.), the March 14 letter requests that the bill be amended to require that partially or semi-autonomous vehicles be subjected to the same safety evaluation reporting as fully autonomous or driverless vehicles. Their concerns are based on a second National Highway Safety Board (NTSB) investigation in as many years into an accident possibly caused by human overreliance on semi-autonomous systems. Uber recently suspended its autonomous testing after a vehicle in autonomous mode struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. In addition, the senators mention cybersecurity and consumer privacy as important issues to consider as well.

A copy of the letter from the five Democrats can be found here.

Auto Care Association members willing to send a letter to their elected officials in support of S.B. 1885 and the Inhofe amendment can visit the Auto Care Association’s advocacy center at autocareadvocacy.org.

You May Also Like

SEMA Urges Members to Support Tax Relief Bill

The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 benefits specialty automotive aftermarket businesses, according to SEMA.

SEMA Action Network

SEMA is encouraging its members to reach out to their representatives and ask for their support on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The bill, which The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on this week, benefits specialty automotive aftermarket businesses, according to SEMA, by allowing for the immediate expensing of R&D and investments in equipment and increasing the small business expensing cap by nearly 30%.

ASA Endorses Bipartisan Tax Framework

The Automotive Service Association says the legislation is beneficial for independent automotive repair businesses.

Industry Partners Urge Congress to Pass R&D Deductibility Fix

“Congress must restore this tax provision to enhance U.S. competitiveness, job creation and innovation as soon as possible,” said Ann Wilson, MEMA’s executive vice president of government affairs.

Legislators Challenge Vehicle Data Access ‘Double Standard’

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez joined other legislators in sending a letter to NHTSA about proposed guidance for implementing the Massachusetts Right to Repair law.

House Passes Bill to Stop EPA Emissions Mandate

The U.S. House passed the “Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act” (H.R. 4468) with bipartisan support.

Opposition Grows for California’s Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

Other Posts

DOJ, FTC Support MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers’ Petition

The petition expands consumer access to vehicle operational, diagnostic and telematics data.

U.S. House Schedules Vote to Stop EPA Emissions Mandate

The SEMA-supported bill would prohibit the EPA from finalizing federal emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles model years ’27 to ’32.

emissions
Section 301 Tariffs & Circumvention: A Closer Look

There’s buzz suggesting that these tariffs are likely here to stay, possibly with even steeper charges on specific items.

Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Back Right to Repair

Over 80% of Mainers voted “yes” to ensure that they and their repair shops can access vehicle diagnostic tools and data.