Hunton Retail Law Resource

On July 30 and 31, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled a coordinated series of regulatory and policy actions that together represent the most significant recalibration of federal autonomous vehicle (AV) oversight in years. These actions accelerate near-term commercial deployment of AVs through granting the first-ever commercial exemption for robotaxis and streamlining exemption processes. Additionally, these actions provide stakeholders with considerable opportunities to engage with the agency and shape the AV legal framework. This alert provides an overview of each action and takeaways for AV developers and industry stakeholders. 

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and its new Commissioner, Samuel Levine, are moving quickly to advance a new era of consumer protection, with an initial focus on app-based delivery companies. The first lawsuit filed by DCWP under Levine reveals a specific tactic that will get the attention of this and other industries: suing company CEOs in their individual capacities.