Regulators and Approval Paths Matrix
A comparative statutory and administrative agency lookup directory routing physical AI deployment teams to the appropriate Texas state and federal regulatory authorities.
Who this is for
Regulatory affairs specialists, enterprise compliance directors, and legal researchers.
Instructions
Identify each regulator with authority over the deployment. Confirm the required filing or approval before operations begin.
Regulatory agency matrix
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | What it governs | Filing or approval required | Key citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) | Texas | Commercial driverless motor vehicle authorization, fleet registration filings, administrative enforcement | Commercial driverless authorization application; authorization required before commercial operation | Tex. Transp. Code Ch. 545 Subch. J; 43 TAC Ch. 220/224 |
| Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) | Texas | Law enforcement interaction plan filings, roadside safety compliance, emergency responder protocols for automated vehicles | First responder interaction plan filing | 37 TAC Ch. 39 |
| Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) | Texas | State agency technology procurement, prohibited foreign equipment listings, cybersecurity standards | Procurement screening against prohibited technologies list | Tex. Gov't Code Ch. 620 |
| National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) | Federal | Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), vehicle exemptions, crash reporting, safety defect recalls | 49 C.F.R. pt. 555 exemption petition (if applicable); Standing General Order 2021-01 crash reports for named manufacturers and operators | 49 U.S.C. §§ 30111-30112; 49 C.F.R. pt. 555 |
| Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) | Federal | Commercial motor carrier safety rules, interstate freight trucking oversight, hours of service | Motor carrier registration; exemption applications as needed | 49 C.F.R. Parts 350-399 |
| Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) | Federal | Airspace management, small UAS rules, Remote ID, air carrier certification, agricultural dispensing | Part 107 remote pilot certification; waivers or exemptions; Part 135 certification; Part 137 approval as applicable | 14 C.F.R. Parts 107, 89, 135, 137 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | Federal | Workplace safety, General Duty Clause enforcement, machine guarding, lockout-tagout energy control | Fatality reporting within 8 hours; hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss within 24 hours | 29 U.S.C. § 654; 29 C.F.R. §§ 1910.212, 1910.147, 1904.39 |
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | Federal | Medical device premarket clearances, surgical robotics oversight, quality systems, medical cyber device mandates | 510(k) clearance or PMA approval; Medical Device Reporting under 21 C.F.R. Part 803 | 21 U.S.C. §§ 360c, 360n-2 |
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) | Federal | Radio frequency equipment authorization, spectrum allocation, Covered List prohibitions, foreign-produced robotics restrictions | Equipment authorization before marketing; Covered List screening | 47 U.S.C. § 1601; DA 26-786 |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) | Federal | Household and personal service robot consumer safety, defect reporting, recall enforcement | Section 15(b) hazard notices; recall compliance | 15 U.S.C. § 2064 |
| Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) | Federal | Connected vehicle supply chain restrictions, Commerce Control List export classification, foreign component trade rules | Export license determination; ICTS supply chain review | 15 C.F.R. Parts 730-774; 15 C.F.R. Part 791 |
| U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) | Federal | Section 337 investigations of unfair import practices involving robotics IP | Respond to complaints and exclusion order proceedings as applicable | 19 U.S.C. § 1337 |
| United States Coast Guard (USCG) | Federal | Maritime autonomous surface vessel oversight, navigation safety, remote-control vessel work instructions | Engagement under applicable work instructions for autonomous vessel operations | USCG 5P-WI-002(1) |
Sources
- Tex. Transp. Code ch. 545, subch. J (Automated Motor Vehicles)
- Tex. Gov't Code ch. 620 (Prohibited technologies)
- 49 U.S.C. § 30111 (Motor vehicle safety standards)
- 47 U.S.C. § 1601 (Secure equipment)