BILL NUMBER: AB 1592	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonilla

                        JANUARY 6, 2016

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


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1592, as introduced, Bonilla. Autonomous vehicles: pilot
project.
   Existing law permits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on
public roads for testing purposes if, among other requirements, the
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 are not equipped with a
steering wheel, a brake pedal, an accelerator, or an operator inside
the vehicle, if the testing is conducted only at specified locations
and the autonomous vehicle operates at speeds of less than 35 miles
per hour.
   This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to
the necessity of a special statute for the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
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.  Notwithstanding Section 38750, the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority is authorized to conduct a pilot project for
the testing of autonomous vehicles that are not equipped with a
steering wheel, a brake pedal, an accelerator, or an operator inside
the vehicle, provided the following requirements are met:
   (a) The testing shall be conducted only at a privately owned
business office park designated by the authority, inclusive of public
roads within the designated office park, and at the GoMentum Station
at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.
   (b) The autonomous vehicle shall operate at speeds of less than 35
miles per hour.
  SEC. 2.  The Legislature finds and declares that a special law is
necessary and that a general law cannot be made applicable within the
meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution.
Because of the need to limit the scope of testing of new autonomous
vehicle technology it is necessary to limit authorization for the
establishment of a pilot project to the Contra Costa Transportation
Authority.