Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s decision to veto a bill aimed at facilitating the operation of fully-autonomous vehicles, including trucks, in the state was met with swift action from lawmakers. Despite the governor’s veto, the bill, known as HB 7, was successfully overridden, thus enacting it into law.
Initially passed by the state’s House and Senate, HB 7 encountered resistance from Gov. Beshear. Nevertheless, the legislation now paves the way for the regulatory approval of fully autonomous vehicles, provided they meet specific criteria.
In vetoing the bill, Beshear said, “[it] does not fully address questions about the safety and security of autonomous vehicles, nor does it implement a testing period that would require a licensed human driver to be behind the wheel” for passenger vehicles.
One notable stipulation of the bill is the requirement for a testing period with a human driver present for trucks weighing over 62,000 pounds and any towed units until July 31, 2026.
“Opening Kentucky’s highways and roads to fully autonomous vehicles should occur only after careful study and consideration and an extensive testing period with a licensed human being behind the wheel, which is what other states have done before passing such law,” Beshear said.
The decision to override the governor’s veto was not without contention. The Kentucky House voted 58-40 in favor of overriding the veto, while the state Senate followed suit with a vote of 21-15. This outcome signifies a clear divergence of opinions on the matter within the state’s legislative bodies.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
