1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to motor vehicles; regulating autonomous vehicles;amending Minnesota 
1.3 	Statutes 2016, sections 169.011, by adding subdivisions; 169.13, subdivision 3; 
1.4 	169.18, subdivision 8; 169.468, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for 
1.5 	new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.8 	to read:
1.9 		Subd. 24a.Driver-assistive platooning system. "Driver-assistive platooning system" 
1.10 	means technology that integrates sensor array, wireless communication, vehicle controls, 
1.11 	and specialized software to synchronize acceleration and braking between two or more 
1.12 	vehicles.

1.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
1.14 	read:
1.15 		Subd. 31a.Fully automated vehicle. "Fully automated vehicle" means a motor vehicle 
1.16 	equipped with an automated driving system, designed to function without an operator, and 
1.17 	classified as level four or level five by SAE J3016.

1.18 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
1.19 	read:
1.20 		Subd. 69b.SAE J3016. "SAE J3016" means the "Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms 
1.21 	Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles" published by SAE 
1.22 	International in September 2016.

2.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.2 		Subd. 3.Application. (a) The provisions of this section apply, but are not limited in 
2.3 	application, to any person who drives any vehicle in the manner prohibited by this section:
2.4 	(1) upon the ice of any lake, stream, or river, including but not limited to the ice of any 
2.5 	boundary water; or
2.6 	(2) in a parking lot ordinarily used by or available to the public though not as a matter 
2.7 	of right, and a driveway connecting the parking lot with a street or highway.
2.8 	(b) This section does not apply to:
2.9 	(1) an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when 
2.10 	in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator;
2.11 	(2) the emergency operation of any vehicle when avoiding imminent danger; or
2.12 	(3) any raceway, racing facility, or other public event sanctioned by the appropriate 
2.13 	governmental authority.
2.14 	(c) Nothing in this section or section 609.035 or 609.04 shall limit the power of the state 
2.15 	to prosecute or punish a person for conduct that constitutes any other crime under any other 
2.16 	law of this state.
2.17 	(d) A person does not violate this section solely because the person is relying upon an 
2.18 	automated driving system to drive the motor vehicle, as permitted under section 174.46.

2.19 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
2.20 		Subd. 8.Following vehicle too closely. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow 
2.21 	another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed 
2.22 	of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the conditions of the highway.
2.23 	(b) The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, or the driver of any motor 
2.24 	truck or bus, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, shall 
2.25 	not follow within 500 feet of another vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be 
2.26 	construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specially 
2.27 	designated for use by motor trucks.
2.28 	(c) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow within 500 feet of an authorized 
2.29 	emergency vehicle that is traveling in response to an emergency.
3.1 	(d) A vehicle equipped with a driver-assistive platooning system may follow other 
3.2 	vehicles at a distance that is less than the minimum distance required under paragraph (a) 
3.3 	or (b) if the vehicle is using synchronized acceleration and braking.

3.4 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.468, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
3.5 	read:
3.6 		Subd. 5.Exemptions to federal motor vehicle safety standards. A vehicle that has 
3.7 	received an exemption from the United States secretary of transportation from the motor 
3.8 	vehicle safety standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, 
3.9 	Public Law 89â€“563, is deemed to conform with the motor vehicle safety rules under this 
3.10 	section.

3.11 	Sec. 7. [174.46] AUTOMATED VEHICLE TESTING.
3.12 	The commissioners of public safety and transportation may authorize the testing of fully 
3.13 	automated vehicles that do not meet the requirements of chapters 169 and 171. A fully 
3.14 	automated vehicle must meet the motor vehicle safety standards under the National Traffic 
3.15 	and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, Public Law 89â€“563, or receive an exemption from 
3.16 	the United States secretary of transportation. A person who engages the automated driving 
3.17 	system, regardless of whether the person is physically present in the vehicle, is the driver 
3.18 	of the vehicle.