BILL NUMBER: AB 1592	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	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. 
   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.   (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:

   (a) 
    (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. 
   (b) 
    (2)  The autonomous vehicle shall operate at speeds of
less than 35 miles per hour. 
   (c) 
    (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) 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. 

  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.