SB 2253

Present law prohibits a political subdivision by ordinance, resolution, or any other means from prohibiting within the jurisdictional boundaries of the political subdivision the use of a motor vehicle equipped with autonomous technology if the motor vehic le otherwise complies with all safety regulations of the political subdivision. However, this bill specifically provides a process for issuing citations for traffic violations by autonomous vehicles as described below. This bill provides that if a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officer makes a determination that a traffic offense has been committed by an autonomous vehicle, then a notice of violation or a citation must be sent by first class mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. A notice of violation or citation mailed to the last known address of the registered owner constitutes valid service. A notice of violation or citation must be sent within 20 business days after the occurrence of th e violation, absent exigent circumstances arising from registration irregularities. All notices of violations or citations must have a Tennessee return address and all responses and payments must be made to an address in this state. A notice of violatio n or citation must allow for payment of the traffic violation or citation within 30 days of the mailing of the notice. Additional penalty or other costs must not be assessed for nonpayment of a traffic violation or citation issued to a registered owner o f an autonomous vehicle unless a second notice is sent by first class mail to the owner and the second notice provides for an additional 30 days for payment of the violation or citation. This bill requires the notice of violation or citation to 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 autonomous vehicle is found to have committed the traffic offense. The registered owner may elect not to contest the charge and may, in lieu of appearance in court, submit th e fine to the address provided on the notice of violation or citation. If the traffic citation is not paid within the time specified in the prior paragraph, then additional fees or court costs may be assessed. If the traffic citation is not paid and the owner appears in court, and the autonomous vehicle is found to have committed the traffic offense, then additional fees or court costs may be assessed. ON MARCH 23, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2253, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1:  Clarifies that " a utomated driving system"" or ""ADS"" and ""ADS-operated vehicle "" ha ve the same meaning as defined in present law.  Authorizes a state or local law enforcement agency to 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 process for issuing citations for traffic violations by autonomous vehicles described in the above bill summary.  Provides that if a state or local law enforcement agency establishes a policy regarding methods in which to enforce traffic offenses committed by an ADS, and a POST-certified or state-commissioned law enforcement officer of the agency makes a determination that a traffic offense has been committed by an ADS, and a notice of violation or citation is issued in accordance with the established policy, then the penalties described in the above bill summary may be used."