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Bill

H 3129

Personal Delivery Devices

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Rutherford

Authorizes and regulates personal delivery devices on sidewalks, with safety and insurance requirements and a three-year sunset.

Referred to Committee on Transportation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3129

Summary — H 3129: Personal Delivery Devices

Status: Referred to Committee on Transportation (Introduced Feb 27, 2025)
Classification: Bill

Note: the file provided contains two different texts (an unrelated Massachusetts capital‑gains amendment at the top). The operative portions summarized below reflect the Personal Delivery Devices language (an Article added to Chapter 2, Title 56) that appears repeatedly in the package.

Purpose

To authorize and regulate operation of small, automated, electrically powered delivery robots (“personal delivery devices”) on sidewalks, crosswalks, and in limited roadway situations; establish safety, equipment, operator, and insurance requirements; allow limited local time/place regulation; and provide a three‑year sunset for the article.

Key provisions

  • Definition of “personal delivery device”:

    • Electrically powered device for cargo transport using automated driving technology (with or without remote human supervision).
    • Size/weight limits: not more than 150 pounds (excluding cargo), length ≤ 36 inches, width ≤ 30 inches.

  • Operators and business entities:

    • “Operator” = an agent at least 16 years old responsible for remotely monitoring/operating the device.
    • Only business entities may operate devices under this article; others are prohibited except as authorized.

  • Where and how devices may operate:

    • Permitted in pedestrian areas (sidewalks, crosswalks, school crossing zones) and, in limited circumstances, along or across highways/State or local roads.
    • Highway use limited to crossing or when a sidewalk is not provided or accessible; must operate on shoulder or as far right as practicable and yield to vehicles.
    • Maximum speeds specified:
    • Versions differ slightly, but the most restrictive language sets pedestrian‑area speeds ≤ 8 mph under normal operation (≤ 10 mph for emergency use); other drafts use a 10 mph limit. Highway operation capped at 10 mph and barred on highways with posted speeds > 35 mph.

  • Safety and equipment requirements:

    • Must obey traffic and pedestrian control devices and signs; yield to human pedestrians; not unreasonably interfere with vehicles/pedestrians.
    • Prohibited from transporting materials regulated under the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
    • Equipment: owner contact marker, effective braking system, and front/rear lights visible from at least 500 feet when operated at night.

  • Local authority:

    • Local governments may adopt ordinances regulating time and place of operation for safety, but may not prohibit use outright.

  • Insurance:

    • Business entities operating devices must carry general liability insurance of at least $500,000 per claim for damages arising from operation.

  • Sunset and effective date:

    • The provisions are repealed three years after enactment.
    • The act takes effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Who is affected

  • Businesses (retailers, restaurants, couriers, technology companies) deploying delivery robots.
  • Insurers providing commercial liability coverage.
  • Local governments (traffic/safety regulation authority).
  • Pedestrians, motorists, and other roadway users interacting with devices.

Legislative/procedural notes

  • Prefiled: 12/05/2024.
  • Introduced/read first time in House: 01/14/2025.
  • Committee activity: referred to Labor, Commerce & Industry (and later to Transportation); committee reported favorably with amendment (04/09/2025).
  • House votes/amendments: amended and read; roll call recorded (04/10/2025: Yeas 97, Nays 0); sent to Senate (04/22–04/23/2025).
  • Hearings scheduled/rescheduled for 10/03/2025 (Gardner Auditorium).
  • Related bill: HD 2466 (replaces).

Potential impacts

  • Provides a statutory framework that enables commercial testing/limited deployment of delivery robots while imposing safety, equipment, and insurance requirements.
  • Gives localities limited regulatory control but prevents outright bans, promoting uniformity across jurisdictions.
  • The three‑year sunset suggests a legislative intent to pilot deployments and revisit policy once experience/data are available.
  • Insurance and compliance costs may affect smaller operators; safety rules and speed limits prioritize pedestrian safety.

If you want, I can: (a) extract and present the different draft variations (speed limits, permitted locations) side‑by‑side, or (b) draft a short plain‑language explainer for constituents.

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

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