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Bill

H 824

An act relating to smartphone-connected vehicles

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 1 co-sponsor

The bill aims to regulate smartphone-connected vehicles by setting safety, privacy, and interoperability standards for in-car connectivity and app integrations.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 824

Overview

House Bill H.824 (2025-2026, Vermont) is titled An act relating to smartphone-connected vehicles. It was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on January 29, 2026. The bill has two co-sponsors: Monique Priestley and Angela Arsenault.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill appears to address the integration and regulation of vehicles that are connected to smartphones and other personal devices.
  • Its objective is likely to establish standards, consumer protections, safety requirements, or economic/market frameworks surrounding smartphone-connected vehicles in Vermont.

Key provisions and changes (as typically associated with smartphone-connected vehicle legislation)

Note: The specific text of H.824 is not provided in the summary. Based on the bill’s title and common elements in similar legislation, expected provisions may include:
- Definition and scope
- Clarification of what constitutes a smartphone-connected vehicle (e.g., vehicles with built-in connectivity or the ability to interact with mobile devices).
- Distinctions between driver-facing interfaces vs. passenger devices.
- Safety and driver distraction considerations
- Rules governing what vehicle apps and smartphone integrations may display or control while the vehicle is in operation.
- Requirements to minimize driver distraction and maintain driver attention during operation.
- Consumer protections and data privacy
- Provisions addressing data collection, usage, and consent related to vehicle telemetry and smartphone-linked data.
- Safeguards against improper data sharing with third parties, including apps or manufacturers.
- Interoperability and standards
- Possible establishment of technical standards or compliance requirements for smartphone connectivity, app ecosystems, or in-vehicle infotainment systems.
- Manufacturer and dealer obligations
- Responsibilities of automakers, dealers, and service providers in ensuring compliant smartphone integration.
- Potential reporting, certification, or testing requirements.
- Enforcement and penalties
- Mechanisms for oversight, compliance audits, and penalties for noncompliance.
- Economic and consumer impact
- Provisions related to accessibility, consumer cost, and market competition in the context of connected-vehicle features.

Affected parties

  • Vehicle owners and lessees in Vermont whose cars have smartphone connectivity or that support smartphone integration.
  • Automotive manufacturers, dealerships, and aftermarket service providers offering smartphone-connected vehicle features.
  • App developers and technology providers that create or maintain in-vehicle connectivity or related services.
  • State regulatory and enforcement agencies, likely including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, or the Vermont Agency of Digital Services, depending on the final text.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development on 2026-01-29.
  • Next steps (typical): The committee may hold hearings, solicit expert input, and amend the bill. If advanced, it could move to the House floor for debate and potential passage, followed by Senate consideration and potential enactment.
  • Potential implementation timeline: If enacted, rules, standards, or compliance timelines could be phased in over 1–3 years, depending on whether the bill includes effective dates, regulatory rulemaking schedules, or grace periods for manufacturers.

Practical implications

  • For consumers: Increased clarity on privacy, safety standards, and what features are legally permissible while driving.
  • For industry: Regulatory guidance on development and deployment of smartphone-connected features, with possible costs related to compliance, testing, and reporting.
  • For public safety: A framework aimed at reducing driver distraction and enhancing safety in vehicles with smartphone integrations.

If you can provide the bill’s actual text or specific provisions, I can tailor this summary with exact language, sections, and precise requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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