U.S. Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Avert Federal Government Shutdown

The United States Congress has passed a 10-week continuing resolution (HHR 5325) that will continue funding the federal government through December 9th. Passage of the legislation averts a partial government shutdown that would have occurred as funding authorization expired on September 30th. Major underlying issues of contention that held up passage of the bill included the negotiation of Zika virus funding levels, the inclusion of federal flood relief funding, and the inclusion of relief dedicated to the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan. Under the agreement, Senate Democrats have indicated that resources for the Flint water crisis will be included in other legislation prior to the end of this legislative session. The continuing resolution includes $1.1 billion to respond to the Zika virus and $500 million in flood relief for Louisiana and other states. Funding for other federal programs would continue at current levels until the current authorization expires in 10 weeks. 

NMVTIS Law Enforcement Working Group

AAMVA is seeking a volunteer to fill a vacant Region IV Law Enforcement representative position on the NMVTIS Law Enforcement Working Group. The working group works under the direction of the AAMVA Law Enforcement Standing Committee. The Working Group typically meets in-person only once annually, but members are expected to complete occasional assignments between meetings. The purpose of the Working Group is to expand NMVTIS awareness and usage among law enforcement and to improve the NMVTIS Law Enforcement Access Tool (LEAT) in collaboration with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Administration. If you are a sworn member of a state police/highway patrol agency within AAMVA Region IV, are interested in serving on this working group, and meet the requirements found on the working group application form complete the application form no later than October 14, 2016, and submit to Dianne Graham at committees@aamva.org.  

The U.S. Department of Transportation Publishes Federal Automated Vehicles Policy

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced a new Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. This four-part policy includes the Model State Policy developed with significant input by AAMVA’s Autonomous Vehicles Working Group. Our official statement on the policy can be found in the below, or in the September 16th Legislative Alert here. Also available is a fact sheet from DOT about the policy that in addition to the Model State Policy includes elements relating to manufacturers, current and potential federal regulatory authorities, and cybersecurity. The DOT is holding a briefing today at 12:00pm EDT that can be viewed live online at https://www.transportation.gov/av. President Obama also published an Op-Ed in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

AAMVA Statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation/NHTSA Automated Vehicles Policy

AAMVA is pleased to see the federal leadership on this issue and welcomes NHTSA’s position on the fast-developing field of automated vehicles. This vehicle technology holds the life-changing promise to improve safety and mobility for all citizens. The AAMVA community of Motor Vehicle Administrators and Law Enforcement leaders is proud to be a key partner in these discussions and to have collaborated with NHTSA on the development of the Model State Policy.

AAMVA commends the federal government for recognizing and seriously considering the needs of the states in preparing the Model State Policy. The policy provides a consistent and standardized approach to regulating highly automated vehicles while simultaneously honoring the flexibility and autonomy of each individual state. Since it was developed in consultation with the AAMVA Autonomous Vehicles Working Group, we hope states will follow the tenets of the Policy when crafting public policy that balances promoting innovation with the regulatory responsibility to uphold public safety.