The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Sept. 6, passed a bill that provides a framework for future federal regulation of autonomous passenger vehicles and prohibits individual states from enacting laws regulating the design, construction or performance of such vehicles.

The Senate is expected to take up the issue of autonomous vehicle regulation later this month.

If enacted, the bill would allow an autonomous vehicle manufacturer to apply for an exemption from federal safety standards designed for conventional cars. During the first year of eligibility, the number of cars qualifying for such exemption per manufacturer would be capped at 25,000 vehicles. But that cap would rise to 100,000 over three years.

Passed on a voice vote in the House, the “Self Drive Act” seeks to accelerate deployment and testing of autonomous vehicles by eliminating the patchwork of state regulations involving such vehicles’ mechanical, hardware and software systems. The bill is also designed to ensure that existing safety regulations, written for traditional cars, don't hinder the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology.

"We have an opportunity today to support and promote the safe testing and deploying of this life-saving technology," said Bob Latta, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee (Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection) that crafted the bill. "U.S. companies are investing in the research and development of this technology and should not be held up by regulatory barriers that were created when self-driving cars were just science fiction. We must act and we must act now."

The bill drew bipartisan support because of the technology's potential to lower traffic accidents and fatalities.

"Given the latest roadway fatality numbers, this technology is especially needed today," said Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore.), House Energy and Commerce Committee chair, before the vote. "Almost 40,000 people lost their lives on our roads last year."

Walden cited research indicating that 94% of traffic accidents result from human error.

The legislation requires that the U.S. Department of Transportation prepare a plan — within a year of the law’s enactment — to ensure the safety and security of highly automated vehicles. That plan would include new federal safety standards that take into account self-driving cars and light trucks.

The bill also directs the Department of Transportation to require the submission of safety assessment certifications from manufacturers of highly automated vehicles. The department would have two years to finalize rules for these certifications. In the meantime, manufacturers would need to submit safety assessment letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Once final, the DOT would evaluate the rules every five years to ensure they’re up to date.

Under the bill, NHTSA must identify any elements that may require new federal standards. These guidelines might address such subjects as human-machine interface, sensors and cybersecurity.

Additionally, all manufacturers would need to submit written cybersecurity plans detailing company practices for detecting and responding to cyber attacks and unauthorized intrusions.

Within two years of the law's enactment, the Department of Transportation would issue a rule requiring that all self-driving vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds include a rear seat occupant alert system. Such systems warn drivers when a child or pet is left in the backseat. Also at the two-year mark, the department would need to complete research into the development of updated safety standards for motor vehicle headlights.