Kentucky Governor Vetoes Autonomous Car Bill

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would have permitted autonomous cars on the state’s roads, reports Austin Horn in Governing.

The bill narrowly passed out of the state legislature, Horn notes. “Beshear criticized the bill as moving too quickly toward autonomous vehicles getting on the road without human supervision. He said, specifically, that there should be a testing period for such cars before they’re allowed to drive in Kentucky.”

The legalization of autonomous vehicles has been a hot-button issue for many states, where startups are eager to get on the road and eliminate the need for human drivers — and jobs. In Kentucky, “The bill received significant pushback from such union groups as Teamsters Local 89 in Louisville.”

The legislature could override the governor’s veto with a majority vote from both chambers.