ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5681

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5681, with committee amendments.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to establish a procedure for the application for and issuance of highly automated vehicle testing permits to test highly automated vehicles on public roadways in New Jersey.  The commission is required to consult the Highly Automated Vehicle Interagency Advisory Committee (HAVIA committee) in determining whether to approve or deny an application for a highly automated vehicle testing permit.

     The commission is required to issue a highly automated vehicle testing permit to a highly automated vehicle tester that holds valid approval from another state to test highly automated vehicles, provided that the standards and requirements established by the other state to test highly automated vehicles are similar to those established by the commission.

     The bill establishes the HAVIA committee to encourage the safe testing of highly automated vehicles in New Jersey by fostering collaboration between State government and stakeholders and promoting public acceptance of highly automated vehicles.  The HAVIA committee is to study, examine, and review the testing and use of highly automated vehicles in New Jersey and to advise the Governor, Legislature, and various State agencies on policies, programs, research, and priorities to advance the use and testing of highly automated vehicles throughout the State.  The HAVIA committee is required to submit a report annually to the Governor and Legislature concerning its activities.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to add three members to the Highly Automated Vehicle Interagency Advisory Committee and to correct grammatical errors.