MS Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling Act; extend repealer on law enforcement interaction plan submission to DPS., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation

By: Senator(s) Younger

Senate Bill 2269

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-35-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,
TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE PROVISION OF LAW REQUIRING THE
OPERATOR OF A FULLY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TO SUBMIT A LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERACTION
PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  Section
63-35-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-35-7.  (1)  Prior to
operating a fully autonomous vehicle on the public roads of this state without
a human driver, a person shall submit a law enforcement interaction plan to the
Department of Public Safety that describes:

(a)  How to communicate
with a fleet support specialist who is available during the times the vehicle
is in operation;

(b)  How to safely
remove the fully autonomous vehicle from the roadway and steps to safely tow
the vehicle;

(c)  How to recognize
whether the fully autonomous vehicle is in autonomous mode;

(d)  Any additional
information the manufacturer or owner deems necessary regarding hazardous
conditions or public safety risks associated with the operation of the fully
autonomous vehicle; and

(e)  Other
elements determined to be necessary by the Department of Public Safety and made
publicly available on the Department of Public Safety's website by July 1,
2023.

(2)  If a person fails to
submit a law enforcement interaction plan prescribed by subsection (1) of this
section, the Department of Public Safety may immediately issue a cease-and-desist
letter prohibiting the operation of the person's fully autonomous vehicle on
public roads of this state until the person submits the law enforcement
interaction plan.

(3)  This section shall
stand repealed on July 1, * * * 2026 2029.

SECTION 2.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.