Bill Text: CA SB719 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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

---

Bill Title: Department of Transportation: motor vehicle technologies testing.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-08-10 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 163, Statutes of 2015. [SB719 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB719-Introduced.html

---

BILL NUMBER: SB 719	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hernandez

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add and repeal Section 14107 of the Government Code,
relating to transportation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 719, as introduced, Hernandez. Department of Transportation:
motor vehicle technologies testing.
   Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has
full possession and control of the state highway system. Existing law
requires the department to adopt a balanced, multimodal research and
development program, including the research and development of new
technologies, and to consult with affected state agencies, including,
among others, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, in
the performance of those duties.
   Existing law establishes rules of the road for the operation of a
vehicle on state highways and roads. These rules require motor
vehicles being driven outside of a business or residence district in
a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, to be
operated so as to allow sufficient space and in no event less than
100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to
enable any other vehicle to overtake or pass.
   This bill would authorize the department, in coordination with the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, to conduct testing of
technologies that involve motor vehicles being operated with less
than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles and
would exempt motor vehicles participating in this testing from the
above-described rule. The bill would require the department to report
its findings from the testing to the Legislature on or before
January 1, 2017, and would repeal these provisions on January 1,
2018.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 14107 is added to the Government Code, to read:

   14107.  (a) The department, in coordination with the Department of
the California Highway Patrol, may conduct testing of technologies
that involve motor vehicles being operated with less than 100 feet
between each vehicle or combination of vehicles.
   (b) Notwithstanding Section 21705 of the Vehicle Code or any other
provision of law, motor vehicles participating in testing of those
technologies pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated with less
than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of those vehicles.
   (c) The department may only use motor vehicles and streets and
highways in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) that the
Department of the California Highway Patrol authorizes for those
uses.
   (d) The department shall report its findings from the testing
conducted pursuant subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before
July 1, 2017. The report required by this subdivision shall be
submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
   (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018 deletes or extends
that date.