Both chambers of Congress and federal officials at the Department of Transportation (DOT) are currently debating how federal policy can help accelerate the development of self-driving cars and trucks.

Last week, the DOT issued guidance on self-driving vehicles. The first such guidelines released under the Trump Administration primarily address automakers’ voluntary safety assessments, while loosening previous guidance issued by the Obama Administration. The guidelines also provide best practices for state legislatures regarding automated driving systems.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed bipartisan legislation out of committee and then by voice vote on the floor. H.R. 3388, “The SELF DRIVE Act” by Reps. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), would require the federal government to undergo rulemaking and preempt many state laws related to self-driving cars, although state insurance laws would not be directly preempted. The legislation would also allow auto manufactures to get exemptions from federal safety standards while rules are being developed.

Despite sweeping support for the legislation in the House, the U.S. Senate has yet to reach consensus on the issue. The debate in the Senate has focused primarily on the inclusion of commercial trucking in any final bill. The House legislation excluded commercial trucking—it applies only to vehicles less than 10,000 pounds. There is also some disagreement in the Senate on cybersecurity issues related to automated driving systems.

The Big “I” has also raised concerns related to the potential waiver of occupant safety standards for autonomous vehicles.

Vehicle insurance represents 43% of total property-casualty insurance premiums nationwide, meaning that advances in auto technology will likely have a large impact on the U.S. insurance industry. The Big “I” government affairs team is actively engaged in this emerging issue and will continue to assess how current federal proposals could impact independent insurance agents and brokers and their markets.

For more information about self-driving vehicles, check out the Agents Council for Technology’s risk advisory on the topic.

Jennifer Webb is Big “I” federal government affairs counsel.