HB2974 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 08890 LNS 18945 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2974

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program Act. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall lead the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program to promote the development, testing, and deployment of CAV technologies and related infrastructure and data needs with the State. Requires the Department to create a registration system with the State for entities wishing to conduct safe pilots or tests of CAVs. Provides that a participating entity in the Program shall maintain compliance with specific requirements. Provides that the Department shall make the notification form for testing entities available on the Program's website. Provides that the Department shall assist in the identification of appropriate communities to conduct testing. Authorizes the Department to suspend an entity's participation in the Program if there is clear evidence that the technology used by a particular vehicle or tested by a particular entity is unsafe for testing on public roads or violates the requirements of the Program. Provides that the Department shall submit to the Governor and General Assembly a report on the status of the Program on or before every December 31 and June 30. Effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions.As used in this Act:

"Automated vehicle" means those vehicles equipped with hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing all the real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle under the conditions for which the hardware and software were designed.

"Connected and automated vehicle" or "CAV" means either automated vehicle or connected vehicle.

"Connected vehicle" means those vehicles that use wireless communication to communicate and exchange information with other vehicles, infrastructure, other devices outside the vehicle, and external networks.

"Department" means the Department of Transportation.

"Program" means the Illinois Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program.

Section 10. Responsibilities and authority of the Department. The Department shall lead the Program to promote the development, testing, and deployment of CAV technologies and related infrastructure and data needs with the State. The Department shall partner with other State agencies to:

(1) review CAV research, pilot projects, and federal, State, and international action to identify best practices regarding:

(A) vehicle testing;

(B) technology deployment;

(C) law enforcement collaboration;

(D) insurance coverage;

(E) liability determinations;

(F) data-sharing arrangements;

(G) privacy issues; and

(H) infrastructure needs;

(2) evaluate and address current laws, rules, and regulations that may impede safe CAV and related infrastructure testing, deployment, and operation;

(3) as appropriate, inform State agencies, partner entities, and the public about the work of the Program and its findings;

(4) pursue opportunities to make the State a leader in the safe and efficient movement of goods and people by means of connected and automated transportation;

(5) collaborate with industry experts on the latest developments in CAV systems, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, Internet of Things applications, and other innovative areas;

(6) work with State agencies, local municipalities, universities, private industry, and other stakeholders to strengthen the responsible and anonymized collection, sharing, and analysis of CAV-generated data to enhance planning, operations, and maintenance throughout the State;

(7) Work with State agencies, private industry, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, local communities, and other stakeholders to identify areas of interest and potential pilot projects, especially relating to improved safety and mobility for the elderly, disabled, and underserved populations;

(8) develop and implement a plan to address changing education and workforce training needs relating to CAV technology development;

(9) identify economic development opportunities to foster equitable job creation;

(10) identify public-private partnership opportunities to increase efficiency in the transportation network; and

(11) maintain an easily accessible website to provide updates on the Program and other educational resources for the public and interested stakeholders.

Section 15. Program registration.

(a) The Department shall create a registration system with the State for entities wishing to conduct safe pilots or tests of CAVs. The Department shall create and make accessible a notification form that participants shall complete and file each calendar year with the Department. The Department shall have the authority to revise the form as new technology and circumstances necessitate. Participating entities may implement testing programs under the Program immediately after providing notification to the Department and shall observe the requirements provided in this Act.

(b) The current form shall require a participating entity to annually provide the following information, in addition to any other requirements established by the Department:

(1) the name and business address of the entity intending to test CAV technology;

(2) identification information about the vehicle to be used in testing, including the make, model, and license plate number;

(3) the name, driver's license number, state of issuance and contact information of any designated operator the entity authorizes to operate a CAV during testing;

(4) a summary of the training completed by vehicle operators;

(5) the name of the municipalities or other areas of the State where the entity intends to test CAVs; and

(6) certification of compliance with the requirements provided by Section 15.

Section 20. Program requirements.

(a) A participating entity shall maintain compliance with the requirements set out in this Section, in addition to any other requirements established by the Department.

(a) The current form shall require the participating entity to annually certify compliance with the following requirements, in addition to any other requirements established by the Department:

(1) for the testing program's duration, a driver properly licensed to operate the vehicle shall occupy the driver's seat and shall remain able to assume control of the vehicle when required;

(2) for the testing program's duration, only a trained employee, contractor, or other persons authorized by the entity to develop CAV technology shall operate or monitor all vehicles;

(3) each vehicle the entity tests shall comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, except to the extent exempted under applicable Federal laws, and shall comply with all State and local traffic and safety laws, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Vehicle Code and local ordinances pertaining to traffic safety; and

(4) each vehicle shall be covered by motor vehicle insurance or other type of financial responsibility as required by law.

Section 25. Notification form accessibility. The Department shall make the notification form for testing entities available on the Program's website.

Section 30. Testing locations. The Department shall, upon request from an entity interested in participating, assist in the identification of appropriate communities to conduct testing. The Department may promote, on the Program's website, any community, public agency, or academic institution's interest in hosting or facilitating certain types of CAV testing in order to partner private entities with communities seeking to benefit from CAV innovations.

Section 35. Program suspension. The Department shall have the authority to suspend an entity's participation in the Program if there is clear evidence that the technology used by a particular vehicle or tested by a particular entity is unsafe for testing on public roads or violates the requirements of the Program. Before a suspended entity is permitted to resume participation in the Program, the entity shall demonstrate to the Department that the technology shall comply with the requirements of the Program.

Section 40. Program reporting. The Department shall submit to the Governor and General Assembly a report on the status of the Program on or before every December 31 and June 30. The report shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

(a) the number of participating registrants;

(b) the dispersion and locations of testing across the State;

(c) any obstacles that have delayed or may potentially delay achieving the goals of the Program;

(d) any applicable analytics relating to the Program; and

(e) recommendations for any laws, policies, or rules that may benefit the Program and advance further development and use of CAV technologies in Illinois.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.