Denver — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have required a human on board autonomous trucks in the state.
In his May 29 veto letter, Polis says signing the bill into law could “undermine innovation of future technologies that could increase road safety.” He adds that current law (S.B. 17-213), passed in 2017, established the Autonomous Mobility Task Force – a joint effort between multiple state agencies to evaluate autonomous vehicle safety.
The vetoed bill (H.B. 25-1122) – sponsored by Sens. Tom Sullivan (D-Castle Rock) and Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs) and Reps. Sheila Lieder (D-Golden) and Chris Richardson (R-Kiowa) – advanced out of the House (55-9) on April 23 and the Senate (27-8) on May 6.
The bill would have prohibited AVs on roads unless a person who has a commercial driver’s license was in the vehicle; in the driver’s seat if the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials; monitored the vehicle’s driving; and intervened, if necessary, to avoid illegal or unsafe driving. Light-duty AVs would have been exempted.
“I appreciate that with any new technology, there is a level of discomfort and uncertainty and that the intention of this bill is to address safety concerns,” Polis writes. “However, the approach set forth in H.B. 25-1122 would risk undermining a process that is currently working.”
Before the veto, Denver-based Teamsters Joint Council 3 supported the legislation, claiming it would prevent jobs from becoming automated and protect workers, drivers and the public.
