Committee advances measure to require drivers in heavy autonomous trucks, sends amended bill to appropriations

Rep. Leader and Rep. Richardson, sponsors of House Bill 12‑86, told the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee the bill aims to keep the public safe while Colorado builds a broader autonomous‑vehicle oversight framework. "This is a Pause and Protect Bill," Rep. Richardson said, describing the measure as temporary and narrowly focused on commercial motor vehicles over 26,001 pounds.

The bill requires that a licensed commercial driver with the appropriate endorsements be physically present in the cab of heavy automated commercial motor vehicles when an automated driving system is engaged. Richardson said the bill does not ban automation but would require a qualified person in the vehicle "to monitor performance and intervene when necessary," and includes a self‑repeal provision effective in five years so the state can develop a fuller regulatory roadmap.

State Patrol commander Gabe Easton testified in an "amend" position, urging further conversations on enforcement and operational details while saying troopers support finding a practical balance between public safety and technology. Emily Hathaway, legislative liaison for CDOT, also said the department was in an amend position and proposed an agency‑led authorization pathway as an alternative to a blanket driver requirement.

Industry witnesses from TechNet, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association and major AV developers urged the committee to oppose the human‑presence mandate, arguing it would make Colorado an outlier and could undermine safety cases for higher‑level automated driving systems. "The bill's requirement that a CDL holder be physically present, seated, and ready to intervene undermines that safety case," Andrew Wood of TechNet testified.

Union and driver witnesses, including Teamsters representatives and long‑haul drivers, strongly supported the bill, citing mountainous terrain, chain laws and safety concerns unique to heavy vehicles on Colorado roads. "When a commercial vehicle weighing tens of thousands of pounds is involved in even the smallest system failure, it could have serious consequences," said Ron Baird of Teamsters Local 455.

Committee members debated enforcement questions — how state patrol would assess driver attentiveness, how ports of entry and interstate transfers would be handled, and whether crash data from other states supports the bill. Sponsors said the most substantial changes were added after stakeholder meetings with the State Patrol and the governor's office.

The committee adopted four sponsor amendments without objection: a five‑year automatic repeal and directed report (L001); a clarification that the rule targets vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds (L005); a requirement that the in‑cab CDL holder carry the proper endorsements, including hazmat (L006); and a specification that the driver be positioned in the cab and prepared to intervene (L004). Rep. Richardson then moved HB 12‑86 as amended to the Appropriations Committee. The committee recorded a 12‑1 vote to route the bill forward.

Next steps: HB 12‑86, as amended, goes to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.