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Today, the co-chairs of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI06), released the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) proposed rule to create AV STEP, or The ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program, which would establish a voluntary review and reporting framework for participating ADS-equipped vehicles: 

"If we want to keep the United States at the forefront of innovation, manufacturing, and safety, it is critical we establish a federal regulatory framework for the deployment of AVs. Today’s proposed rule is not a substitute for Congress establishing a federal regulatory framework. As this framework is created, we must ensure all the relevant voices are at the table, including industry partners, labor, safety groups, disability rights advocates, and others. We firmly believe in the promise of AV technology: improved safety, expanded mobility, and greater economic prosperity, and we will introduce a bill next Congress to establish a framework that supports these goals.”

Latta and Dingell have long worked in Congress to establish a bipartisan federal autonomous vehicle framework. In addition, Latta's landmark AV legislation, the SELF DRIVE Act, was approved by the House in the 115th Congress. 

AV STEP would be open to all companies that operate or plan to operate compliant ADS-equipped vehicles on public roads, as well as those requiring NHTSA exemptions to operate non-compliant vehicles. The program would promote greater transparency into participating ADS operations and help the agency study and oversee ADS technology as it matures. AV STEP also aligns with the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which was launched in January 2022 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, outlines a comprehensive approach to significantly reducing injuries and deaths on our nation’s highways, roads, and streets, and implements a safe system approach.