HB 1072 – Personal Delivery Devices
Authored by Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie)
Provides that a personal delivery device may operate in Indiana under certain circumstances, but may not operate on portions of any state route, U.S. route or interstate highway comprising the state highway system located in a municipality. Requires a personal delivery device operator to maintain certain levels of insurance coverage. Provides that a personal delivery device is exempt from motor vehicle licensing and registration requirements. Provides that local governments shall not be required to make or pay for infrastructure improvements for the purpose of better accommodating personal delivery devices. Provides that a political subdivision may place certain restrictions on personal delivery devices (by ordinance or resolution), but a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution relating to: (1) the design, manufacture, maintenance, certification, licensing, registration, taxation, assessment or insurance of a personal delivery device; or (2) the types of property that may be transported by a personal delivery device.
Chamber position: Support
The latest: The bill passed the full Senate on Monday by a vote of 36-12; it heads back to the House with amendments.
Indiana Chamber action/commentary: The intent of the bill is to clear the path for robots owned by universities and companies to deliver personal property to students, residents and businesses in Indiana (e.g., food and beverages, parcels, legal documents, etc.).
Purdue currently uses robot delivery on its Lafayette campus, namely for food delivery to its students. FedEx and Amazon both have deployed delivery “bots” in a handful of markets and seek to increase their investments. All claim that more robot delivery services will reduce CO2 emissions and improve delivery efficiency.
In committee, members raised questions about whether the technology would eliminate jobs, but supporters – including the Chamber – said it will not; rather, it will result in a net gain of jobs in terms of attracting and retaining talent and increasing manufacturing opportunities. On third reading, the bill’s Senate sponsor, Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), fielded questions from Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) and Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) about “local control” and whether counties and municipalities have enough regulatory authority and coverage from liability. The Chamber, together with other advocates of the bill, argue that more local regulation would be the death knell to innovation in this industry and, ultimately, the deployment of robot deliveries. Companies will be reluctant to practice robot delivery if they must first obtain permits or licenses from 569 different Indiana municipalities and comply with various layers of red tape.
Thankfully, the bill eventually passed by a wide margin. House Bill 1072 serves as a beacon to forward-thinking scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, and will incentivize more research and development investments in Indiana.
Resource: Adam H. Berry at (317) 264-6892 or email: aberry@indianachamber.com
