SB 292: Autonomous Systems Amendments - Utah

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's laws to regulate automated driving systems (ADS) by establishing new liability rules and definitions. It creates a specific legal framework for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles, limiting the damages a victim can recover to $100,000 for these advanced systems while maintaining a $1 million cap for other ADS cases. The bill also introduces an affirmative defense for manufacturers if they meet current technology standards and adds a sunset clause to review these new liability rules in 2030.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of Utah law to explicitly cover Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles, which were previously not fully addressed under existing product liability statutes. It creates a distinct legal category for these high-level autonomous systems with specific liability limits and defenses.

DEFINITION

Added comprehensive definitions for terms like 'ADS-dedicated vehicle,' 'fallback-ready user,' and 'dynamic driving task' to clarify how autonomous vehicles operate legally.

REQUIREMENT

Established a statutory cap of $100,000 for total damages recoverable in lawsuits involving Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles, excluding wrongful death claims.

Created a new affirmative defense allowing ADS manufacturers to avoid liability if they can prove their technology met state-of-the-art standards at the time of manufacture.

Removed the requirement for manufacturers to prove negligence in design or development, shifting the burden to plaintiffs to prove a safer alternative design existed.

TIMELINE

Extended the sunset review date for the new ADS liability provisions from July 1, 2030, to ensure the laws remain relevant as technology evolves.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the previous 'Introduced' version with a 'Substitute' version that significantly expands the scope of liability protections for autonomous vehicles. The most critical change is the addition of a sunset review clause, requiring the new liability laws to expire in 2030 unless re-enacted. Additionally, the financial caps on damages were increased, and the definitions were updated to clarify that the new rules apply specifically to 'ADS-dedicated vehicles' rather than all automated vehicles.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed to apply specifically to 'ADS-dedicated vehicles' (Level 4 and 5) rather than all automated driving systems, and a new sunset provision was added to limit the duration of these liability rules.

TIMELINE

Added a sunset provision requiring the new liability laws to be repealed on July 1, 2030, unless the legislature re-enacts them.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'ADS-equipped vehicle' to 'ADS-dedicated vehicle' in liability sections to clarify that protections apply only to vehicles designed for exclusive driverless operation.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the statutory cap on noneconomic losses (pain and suffering) for ADS-dedicated vehicle accidents from $450,000 to $1,000,000.

Increased the total damages cap for driverless operation incidents from $50,000 to $100,000.

SCOPE

Removed provisions related to 'personal delivery devices' (electric cargo bots) which were present in the original version but not in this substitute.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly tightens liability rules for autonomous vehicle manufacturers and developers while establishing a new, exclusive legal pathway for victims of self-driving car accidents. It introduces a $1 million cap on non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) for ADS-dedicated vehicles and limits total recoverable damages to $100,000 for driverless operation incidents. Additionally, it creates a strong defense for manufacturers if they followed federal safety standards or if their technology reduces overall injuries compared to human drivers.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of liability limitations to specifically cover Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous driving systems, restricting manufacturer negligence claims and creating a new exclusive remedy for accidents involving fully driverless vehicles.

REQUIREMENT

Establishes a $1 million statutory cap on noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) for accidents involving ADS-dedicated vehicles.

Creates an exclusive civil remedy for injuries caused by driverless operation, limiting total recovery to $100,000 and barring other negligence or product liability lawsuits for the same incident.

Enacts an affirmative defense allowing manufacturers to avoid liability if they complied with state-of-the-art knowledge or if their system reduces overall injuries compared to human operation.

DEFINITION

Adds precise definitions for 'ADS-dedicated vehicle' and 'driverless operation' to distinguish fully autonomous cars from those requiring human oversight.

ELIGIBILITY

Modifies product defect standards for autonomous vehicles, requiring plaintiffs to prove a feasible alternative design existed and that the system causes more aggregate injuries than human drivers.

TIMELINE

Sets a sunset review date of July 1, 2030, for liability provisions related to automated driving systems.

Autonomous Systems Amendments

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