Bill Text: CA AB1592 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Autonomous vehicles: pilot project.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2016-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 814, Statutes of 2016. [AB1592 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB1592-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1592	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 22, 2016
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 6, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 28, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonilla
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Travis Allen, Baker, Nazarian, and
Obernolte)

                        JANUARY 6, 2016

   An act to add Section 38755 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
autonomous vehicles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1592, as amended, Bonilla. Autonomous vehicles: pilot project.
   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.
   This bill would, notwithstanding the above provision, authorize
the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project
for the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have an operator
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.  The bill would require the authority 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 requ   ired by the department. The bill would limit
the operator of the autonomous technology to only collect data about
the operation of the autonomous vehicle and the environment of the
vehicle that is necessary for the operation of the vehicle and not
for marketing or other commercial purposes. The bill would authorize
the department to require data collection for evaluating the safety
of the vehicles. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 38755 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   38755.  (a) Notwithstanding Section 38750, the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority is authorized to conduct a pilot project for
the testing of autonomous vehicles that do not have an operator and
are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an
accelerator provided the following requirements are met:
   (1) The testing shall be conducted only at a privately owned
business park designated by the authority, inclusive of public roads
within the designated business park, and at GoMentum Station located
within the boundaries of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.
   (2) The autonomous vehicle shall operate at speeds of less than 35
miles per hour.
   (3) A change in ownership of the property comprising the GoMentum
Station shall not affect the authorization to conduct testing
pursuant to this section. 
   (b) Prior to the start of the testing of an autonomous vehicle
that does not have an operator on or across a public road, the Contra
Costa Transportation Authority or a private entity, or a combination
of the two, shall obtain an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or
proof of self-insurance in an amount of five million dollars
($5,000,000), and shall provide evidence of the insurance, surety
bond, or proof of self-insurance to the Department of Motor Vehicles
in the form and manner required by the department.  
   (c) The operator of the autonomous technology may only collect
data about the operation of the autonomous vehicle and the
environment of the vehicle that is necessary for the operation of the
vehicle and not for marketing or other commercial purposes. The data
shall not be retained any longer than is necessary for the operation
of the vehicle or for research purposes related to operation of the
vehicle. For the testing of autonomous vehicles within the designated
business park, the department may require data collection for
evaluating the safety of the vehicles.  
   (b) 
    (d)  This section does not limit the authority of the
department to promulgate regulations governing the testing and
operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, with or without the
presence of a driver inside the vehicle, pursuant to Section 38750.