Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce supports Autonomous Vehicle Senate Legislative Package
On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Saginaw Future Inc., attended a public hearing at Nexteer to support a Senate legislative package with the potential to transform the economic landscape of Saginaw County and put Michigan at the forefront of the next major transition in the automotive industry.
The Michigan Autonomous Vehicle (AV) legislation includes Senate Bills 997-998 and is sponsored by members of the Michigan Senate Economic Development & International Investment Committee including Senator Mike Kowall (R), Primary, Senator Ken Horn (R), and Senator Rebekah Warren (D). The groundbreaking bills create the regulatory approach and tools needed to introduce autonomous vehicles and technologies in a safe and publicly accepted manner and could serve as a national model for other states. In a race to capture the development market against high-tech companies, including those in Silicon Valley, the legislation helps cement the State of Michigan, the birthplace of the automotive industry, as THE American automotive leader.
According to Chamber President Bob VanDeventer, “Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region are uniquely positioned to play an important role in the future of transportation. The automobile is an integral part of our history and also of our future. In supporting this legislation, our goal is to position Saginaw as a lead source for technological innovation in the emerging autonomous vehicle industry.”
The four bills that make up the proposed regulatory package each addresses a slightly different focus:
SB 995 would amend the current law to allow the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in the state.
SB 996 authorizes “Safe Autonomous Vehicle” or “SAVE” projects. This bill would authorize and support the type of testing and operation that would help autonomous vehicles become a reality sooner and in a safe and timely manner. With protections in place, AVs could safely be rolled out in Saginaw or Detroit.
SB 997 establishes a grant-eligible AV Mobility Research Center at Willow Run in Ypsilanti Township.
SB 998 relates to liability protection for repair facilities and protects mechanics working on AVs.
SAVE Act safety provisions include the following:
AV projects would take place in a geographically bounded area.
Defined geographic areas would allow individuals to experience AV technologies in a safe and controlled manner while also developing data for further policy developments.
Only vehicles manufactured to meet federal and state safety requirements would be allowed to participate and must operate in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
A participating automobile manufacturer would be responsible for integrating automated driving technology into the vehicles and for the safe operation of the projects.
The participating automobile manufacturer would be responsible for the safe operation of the automated driving system.
Vehicles would be equipped with event data recorders and be capable of providing automatic crash notification to emergency responders.
Governor Rick Snyder stated “Michigan has always been a leader in the automotive industry, and we need to be ahead of the curve on mobility as the transportation industry evolves in order to continue our success. Connected and autonomous vehicles are the future of the automotive industry, and we are positioning Michigan to be the global leader in this innovation.”
The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce supports passage of the Senate AV bill package and in the potential for economic development the new autonomous vehicle technology presents for the residents, workforce and businesses of Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.
