HB 5117
Hopper Bill Puts Self-Driving System Makers In The Driver’s Seat
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the operator of an automated motor vehicle for the purpose of determining liability in the event of a collision.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
System engaged during a crash? Sue the manufacturer instead of the person in the seat.
The bill says that when a self-driving system is turned on in a car, the company that made that system counts as the driver for deciding who is liable in a crash. It touches makers of automated driving systems, people riding in or owning self-driving cars, and anyone hurt in a collision with one. After September 1, 2025, crash lawsuits arising while the system is engaged would point at the system's manufacturer instead of the person in the seat.
Labels
Labels: QUICK READ: 147 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 147 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB5117 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
+ 2 coauthors
ITEM
relating to the operator of an automated motor vehicle for the purpose of determining liability in the event of a collision.
WHAT IT DOES
System engaged during a crash? Sue the manufacturer instead of the person in the seat.
The bill says that when a self-driving system is turned on in a car, the company that made that system counts as the driver for deciding who is liable in a crash. It touches makers of automated driving systems, people riding in or owning self-driving cars, and anyone hurt in a collision with one. After September 1, 2025, crash lawsuits arising while the system is engaged would point at the system's manufacturer instead of the person in the seat.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“the manufacturer of the automated driving system is considered the operator of the automated vehicle solely for the purpose of determining liability in the event of a collision”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill shifts crash liability onto self-driving system manufacturers, changing who can be sued when an engaged automated car collides.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC$165,000.00
Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC
$165,000.00
- Cash
- $145,000.00
- Paid by others
- $20,000.00
- Total
- $165,000.00
Also funds 30 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 3, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 30, 2025 to Jul 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101031840, 101035276, 101045753, 101059537, 101069128.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$111,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$111,000.00
- Cash
- $105,000.00
- Paid by others
- $6,000.00
- Total
- $111,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101031840, 101035276, 101045753, 101072124.
Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC$106,000.00
Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC
$106,000.00
- Cash
- $100,000.00
- Paid by others
- $6,000.00
- Total
- $106,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Feb 4, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101045753.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans United for a Conservative Majority PAC
$165,000.00
- Cash
- $145,000.00
- Paid by others
- $20,000.00
- Total
- $165,000.00
Also funds 30 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 3, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 30, 2025 to Jul 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101031840, 101035276, 101045753, 101059537, 101069128.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$111,000.00
- Cash
- $105,000.00
- Paid by others
- $6,000.00
- Total
- $111,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 18, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101031840, 101035276, 101045753, 101072124.
Texans for Truth and Liberty PAC
$106,000.00
- Cash
- $100,000.00
- Paid by others
- $6,000.00
- Total
- $106,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Feb 4, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012447, 101045753.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/07/2025 H Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence: Apr 7 2025 5:28PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Vehicles & Traffic--General
Vehicles & Traffic--Rules of Road
ACCIDENTS
Text
The text as introduced · 147 words
By: Hopper H.B. No. 5117 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the operator of an automated motor vehicle for the purpose of determining liability in the event of a collision. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 545.453, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) Notwithstanding any other law, when an automated driving system installed on a motor vehicle is engaged, the manufacturer of the automated driving system is considered the operator of the automated vehicle solely for the purpose of determining liability in the event of a collision involving the automated vehicle. SECTION 2. Section 545.453(c), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.