California Governor Approves One Driverless Vehicle Bill, Rejects Two Others

For the second time in two years, Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed legislation (AB 2286) aimed at banning autonomous trucks from operating on public roads. Additionally, he vetoed another bill (AB 3061) that sought to establish new data reporting requirements for autonomous vehicle (AV) companies. However, he signed into law a third bill (AB 1777) that sets guidelines for dealing with autonomous vehicles involved in crashes or encounters with first responders.

Labor groups have long advocated for a ban on AV trucks, contending that the technology threatens the future employment of truck drivers. They support legislation requiring self-driving trucks always to have a human operator on board, a condition AV operators argue would undermine the purpose of driverless trucks. Newsom had previously vetoed similar legislation in the past year.

Upon vetoing the self-driving truck ban, Newsom noted that California has already issued draft regulations that provide “the nation’s most comprehensive standards for heavy-duty autonomous vehicles.” These regulations include provisions such as restricting driverless trucks from roads with speeds of 50mph or higher and barring them from carrying certain payloads, like hazardous chemicals.

In his veto message, Newsom emphasized California’s dual commitment to worker protection and technological innovation. “Recognizing that our workforce is the foundation of our economic success, California leads the nation with some of the strongest worker protection laws,” Newsom wrote. “Our state also is renowned globally as a leader in technological innovation. We reject that one aim must yield to the other, and our success disproves this false binary.”

Newsom also vetoed AB 3061, which would have created new reporting requirements for autonomous vehicle collisions and disengagements. The bill would have required manufacturers to submit quarterly reports on vehicle miles traveled, instances when vehicles became immobilized, and traffic collisions. Newsom stated that although he supported the bill’s intent, he found the timeline it imposed on the Department of Motor Vehicles to be “infeasible.”

Conversely, Newsom signed into law AB 1777, which mandates that AV companies provide a hotline for police to contact in case an autonomous vehicle disrupts a crime scene or emergency situation. This requirement follows several incidents in San Francisco where driverless vehicles obstructed emergency responses. For example, a Waymo robotaxi recently impeded Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade in San Francisco after getting stuck during a U-turn attempt.

Under AB 1777, police are authorized to issue traffic citations to driverless vehicles for non-compliance. AV operators are then required to report these citations to the DMV within 72 hours. Although the citations carry no monetary penalties, accumulated notices could result in the DMV revoking the company’s permits.

Assemblymember Phil Ting, the bill’s sponsor, stressed the importance of balancing public safety with technological progress. “We must prioritize public safety, but not at the expense of innovation,” Ting said. “Before autonomous vehicles become too commonplace, California needs to ensure safety for everyone on our streets. I thank the Governor for recognizing the need to adapt to our changing environment.”

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