A bill for an act relating to the operation of driverless-capable vehicles transporting hazardous materials, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2673 prohibits driverless-capable vehicles from operating without a human driver when transporting hazardous materials in Iowa. It specifically applies to vehicles carrying substances defined as hazardous materials under state law (substances posing unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property during transport). The bill amends existing law to require a conventional human driver to be physically present in the vehicle during all operations involving hazardous materials, overriding previous allowances for driverless operation. Violating this provision is a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $105-$855 fine. This applies directly to companies and operators using autonomous vehicles for hazmat transport within Iowa.