Traffic Safety - As enacted, establishes process regarding traffic violations committed by autonomous vehicles, including mailing the notice of violation or citation to the registered owner of the vehicle. - Amends TCA T, the official text

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                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 726

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2253

                                                    By Pody, Rose, Stevens

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2302

                                            By Freeman, Vital, Reneau, Sparks

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 30 and Title 55, Chapter 8, relative
          to autonomous vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-202(b), is amended by adding the
following as a new, appropriately designated subdivision:

                    () "Automated driving system" or "ADS" and "ADS-operated vehicle" have the same
          meanings as defined in§ 55-30-102;

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-8-202, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (b) and redesignating the existing subsection (b) accordingly:

                    (b)(1) A state or local law enforcement agency may establish a policy regarding
                    methods in which to enforce traffic offenses committed by an ADS, including
                    providing notices of violation or citations, and if such a policy is established, then the
                    policy must align with the following:

                                        (A) If a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officer
                              makes a determination that a traffic offense under this chapter or chapter 9 or
                              10 of this title has been committed by an automated driving system, then a
                              notice of violation or a citation must be sent by first class mail to the registered
                              owner of the ADS-operated vehicle. A notice of violation or citation mailed to
                              the last known address of the registered owner constitutes valid service;

                                        (B) A notice of violation or citation must be sent within twenty (20)
                              business days after the occurrence of the violation, absent exigent
                              circumstances arising from registration irregularities;

                                        (C) All notices of violations or citations must have a return address in
                              this state and all responses and payments must be made to an address in this
                              state. A notice of violation or citation must allow for payment of the traffic
                              violation or citation within thirty (30) days of the mailing of the notice;

                                        (D) An additional penalty or other costs must not be assessed for
                              nonpayment of a traffic violation or citation issued to a registered owner of an
                              ADS-operated vehicle unless a second notice is sent by first class mail to the
                              owner and the second notice provides for an additional thirty (30) days for
                              payment of the violation or citation; and

                                        (E) The notice of violation or citation must state the amount of the fine
                              that is being assessed for the alleged violation. The notice of violation or
                              citation must state separately any additional fees or court costs that may be
                              assessed if the fine is not paid timely or if the violation or citation is contested
                              and the ADS is found to have committed the traffic offense.
SB 2253
                              (2) If a state or local law enforcement agency establishes a policy regarding

                    methods in which to enforce traffic offenses committed by an ADS in accordance with
                    subdivision (b)(1), and a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement
                    officer of the agency makes a determination that a traffic offense under this chapter or
                    chapter 9 or 10 of this title has been committed by an ADS, and a notice of violation
                    or citation is issued in accordance with the established policy, then:

                                        (A) The registered owner may elect not to contest the charge and may,
                              in lieu of appearance in court, submit the fine to the address provided on
                              notice of violation or citation;

                                        (B) If the traffic citation is not paid within the time specified, then
                              additional fees or court costs may be assessed; and

                                        (C) If the traffic citation is not paid and the owner appears in court at
                              the time specified, or such later date as may be fixed by the court, and the
                              ADS is found to have committed the traffic offense, then additional fees or
                              court costs may be assessed.
          SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

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         SENATE BILL NO. 2253

PASSED:  March 23, 2026

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                         -~
                                   RANDYlJicNALLY

                               SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

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                         CAME~EXTON,SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this , ~ day of ~r;f      2026

         ~ w - BILL LEE, GOVERNOR