1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; authorizing vehicle platooning systems;amending 
1.3 	Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 169.011, by adding subdivisions; 169.18, 
1.4 	subdivision 8; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 169.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 54b.Platooning system. "Platooning system" means driver-assisted 
1.9 	vehicle-to-vehicle technology that integrates electronic communications between and among 
1.10 	multiple vehicles to synchronize speed, acceleration, and braking while leaving system 
1.11 	monitoring and intervention in the control of each vehicle's human operator.

1.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
1.13 	read:
1.14 		Subd. 92a.Vehicle platoon. "Vehicle platoon" means a group of commercial vehicles 
1.15 	traveling in a unified manner through use of a platooning system or systems. A vehicle 
1.16 	platoon consists of a lead vehicle and following vehicles. Notwithstanding section 169.81, 
1.17 	a vehicle platoon may consist of up to three vehicles. A vehicle platoon is not a combination 
1.18 	vehicle under this chapter.

2.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
2.2 		Subd. 8.Following vehicle too closely. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow 
2.3 	another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed 
2.4 	of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the conditions of the highway.
2.5 	(b) The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, or the driver of any motor 
2.6 	truck or bus, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, shall 
2.7 	not follow within 500 feet of another vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be 
2.8 	construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specially 
2.9 	designated for use by motor trucks. This paragraph does not apply to following vehicles in 
2.10 	a vehicle platoon if the operator has an approved plan in compliance with section 169.881.
2.11 	(c) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow within 500 feet of an authorized 
2.12 	emergency vehicle that is traveling in response to an emergency.

2.13 	Sec. 4. [169.881] VEHICLE PLATOONS.
2.14 		Subdivision 1.Vehicle platoon plan. A person may use a platooning system on freeways 
2.15 	and expressways under the jurisdiction of the commissioner if a plan has been approved by 
2.16 	the commissioner. The commissioner must obtain approval from the commissioner of public 
2.17 	safety prior to approving the plan.
2.18 		Subd. 2.Required information. The plan must include but is not limited to the following 
2.19 	information on a form prescribed by the commissioner:
2.20 	(1) total length of the vehicle platoon;
2.21 	(2) the configuration of the vehicle platoon, including spacing between vehicles;
2.22 	(3) proposed route and section of freeway or expressway;
2.23 	(4) proposed dates and time frames the vehicle platoon will be operating;
2.24 	(5) certification that each human driver in the vehicle platoon has a valid driver's license 
2.25 	for the type or class of vehicle being driven;
2.26 	(6) certification that the vehicle height, width, and load limits conform to this chapter; 
2.27 	and
2.28 	(7) vehicle identification information, including VIN, make, model, and year of each 
2.29 	vehicle in the vehicle platoon.
3.1 		Subd. 3.Authority to approve plan. (a) The commissioner may grant or deny a vehicle 
3.2 	platoon plan. The approved plan may include conditions and restrictions to ensure public 
3.3 	safety, minimize congestion, or prevent undue damage to roads or structures.
3.4 	(b) Notice of the reasons for denying a plan must be provided in writing.
3.5 	(c)  Failure to approve a plan within 60 days does not constitute an approval of the plan.
3.6 		Subd. 4.Restrictions. Vehicle platoons must meet the following restrictions:
3.7 	(1) each vehicle in the vehicle platoon must have a platooning system installed;
3.8 	(2) while platooning, each vehicle must have the platooning system engaged;
3.9 	(3) each vehicle in the vehicle platoon must have a human driver present and in the 
3.10 	driver seat who is monitoring performance of the vehicle at all times and who holds a valid 
3.11 	driver's license for the type or class of vehicle being driven;
3.12 	(4) each vehicle in the vehicle platoon must meet the vehicle height, width, and load 
3.13 	limits under this chapter; and
3.14 	(5) each vehicle in the platoon must possess minimum liability insurance.
3.15 		Subd. 5.Operations. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a vehicle platoon 
3.16 	must allow reasonable access for the movement of other motor vehicles to change lanes 
3.17 	and enter or exit the roadway. A paper or electronic copy of the approved plan must be kept 
3.18 	in each vehicle of the vehicle platoon.
3.19 		Subd. 6.Violations. Each vehicle and each driver within the vehicle platoon must comply 
3.20 	with all applicable traffic laws under this chapter. Each driver and each vehicle within the 
3.21 	vehicle platoon must comply with any lawful order or direction of any peace officer.
3.22 		Subd. 7.Collision reporting. In the event of a collision, all drivers of all vehicles within 
3.23 	a vehicle platoon must immediately stop the vehicles at the scene of a collision, or as close 
3.24 	to the scene as possible. All drivers must remain on the scene and must comply with collision 
3.25 	reporting requirements as otherwise required by law. In the event of a collision, drivers or 
3.26 	owners of vehicles with a platooning system must submit information on whether the 
3.27 	platooning system was engaged at the time of the collision.
3.28 		Subd. 8.Plan fee. The commissioner may charge a fee of up to $75 to approve a vehicle 
3.29 	platoon plan. Fees for plans issued by the commissioner must be deposited in the state 
3.30 	treasury and credited to the trunk highway fund.