SF 4014 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Natural person requirement to be present when a commercial motor vehicle is operated by an automated driving system

SF 4014 requires a licensed human driver to be physically present in the driver's seat of a commercial motor vehicle whenever an automated driving system (designed to handle all driving tasks without a human, such as SAE levels 4 or 5) is used for operation. The human must monitor the vehicle and intervene if necessary to prevent unsafe or illegal driving. Violations by vehicle owners or lessors result in escalating fines, starting at $2,000 for a second offense, with penalties doubling for each subsequent violation.

Issues: ✗ Technology ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 2, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting a change in status and a new posting date. The most significant substantive addition is the inclusion of expiration and effective date clauses, specifying that the new automated driving system rules will expire on July 1, 2033, and will take effect the day after final enactment. A new subdivision was also added to the penalty section, establishing liability for vehicle owners or lessors when their commercial vehicles are operated in violation of the new rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on requiring a natural person to be present when operating a commercial motor vehicle with an automated driving system, but it now includes specific timelines for when the law applies and ends.

TIMELINE

Added an expiration date of July 1, 2033, limiting how long the new automated driving regulations remain in effect.

Added an effective date clause stating the law begins the day after final enactment.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new subdivision to the penalty section to hold vehicle owners or lessors criminally liable if they allow their vehicles to be operated in violation of the automated driving system rules.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title and posting date to reflect the bill's progression to its first engrossment stage.

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Transportation

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors