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Holcomb Won't Push For Self-Driving Vehicle Bill In Special Session

Gov. Eric Holcomb identified self-driving vehicle legislation as a priority this year. But it was one of the bills that died when lawmakers ran out of time.
Brandon Smith/IPB News
Gov. Eric Holcomb identified self-driving vehicle legislation as a priority this year. But it was one of the bills that died when lawmakers ran out of time.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says he won’t push lawmakers to address autonomous vehicle regulations in the upcoming special session. But Holcomb says he may explore other options to help the industry locate in the state.

The Republican governor identified self-driving vehicle legislation as a priority this year. But it was one of the bills that died when lawmakers ran out of time. Holcomb says he wants the special session agenda to be focused and narrow – and he says he’s leading by example.

“With an agenda item that I was unsuccessful getting across the finish line, autonomous vehicles – and I am not putting that on our to-do list for a special session,” Holcomb says.

On autonomous vehicles, Holcomb says broadly he wants a balance between welcoming manufacturers and operators to the state – while ensuring public safety.

“What I don’t want to happen is Indiana be outdone by another state in terms of our attractiveness," Holcomb says.

Holcomb says he may use executive orders to set up an autonomous vehicle regulation system for the state before 2019.  

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
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