Autonomous vehicles: pilot project.
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SB 251 — Autonomous vehicles: pilot project.
Last action — Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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Died in session
This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
Summary
Existing law permits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes if, among other requirements, a driver is seated in the driver's seat and is capable of taking immediate manual control of the vehicle in the event of an autonomous technology failure or other emergency. Notwithstanding these provisions, existing law, until 180 days after the operative date of regulations promulgated by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the vehicle, authorizes the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project for the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted only at specified locations and the autonomous vehicle operates at speeds of less than 35 miles per hour, as provided. This bill would, until 180 days after the operative date of the above specified regulations, allow the County of Merced to conduct a pilot project for the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted at the Castle Commerce Center. The bill would require the County of Merced or a private entity, or a combination of the two, to obtain an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in an amount of $5,000,000 prior to the start of testing of any autonomous vehicle on or across a public road and would require evidence of the insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance to be provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the form and manner required by the department. The bill would require the County of Merced or a private entity, or a combination of the two, to provide the department with a detailed description of the testing program, as specified. The bill would require the operator of the autonomous vehicle technology to disclose what personal information concerning a pilot project participant is collected by an autonomous vehicle. The bill would allow the department to require data collection for evaluating the safety of the vehicles, as provided.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
1 added · 1 removed1 line(s) added, 1 removed.
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- Introduced 02/07/17 - Introduced Current pdf February 07, 2017
- SB251 View text html
Action History
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Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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April 18 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
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Set for hearing April 18.
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Referred to Com. on T. & H.
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Read first time.
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From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 10.
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Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Sponsors
- Gray · Cosponsor
- Cannella · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Cannella
Co-sponsors (1)
- Gray
Not signed on (120)
120 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 120 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 251 do?
- Existing law permits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes if, among other requirements, a driver is seated in the driver's seat and is capable of taking immediate manual control of the vehicle in the event of an autonomous technology failure or other emergency. Notwithstanding these provisions, existing law, until 180 days after the operative date of regulations promulgated by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the vehicle, authorizes the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project for the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted only at specified locations and the autonomous vehicle operates at speeds of less than 35 miles per hour, as provided. This bill would, until 180 days after the operative date of the above specified regulations, allow the County of Merced to conduct a pilot project for the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted at the Castle Commerce Center. The bill would require the County of Merced or a private entity, or a combination of the two, to obtain an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in an amount of $5,000,000 prior to the start of testing of any autonomous vehicle on or across a public road and would require evidence of the insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance to be provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the form and manner required by the department. The bill would require the County of Merced or a private entity, or a combination of the two, to provide the department with a detailed description of the testing program, as specified. The bill would require the operator of the autonomous vehicle technology to disclose what personal information concerning a pilot project participant is collected by an autonomous vehicle. The bill would allow the department to require data collection for evaluating the safety of the vehicles, as provided.
- Who sponsors SB 251?
- SB 251 is sponsored by Gray and Cannella.
- What is the current status of SB 251?
- This bill died with 2017-2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
- Where can I track SB 251?
- Track SB 251 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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