BILL NUMBER: AB 1592	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 15, 2016
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 2, 2016
	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 required by the department.
 The bill would allow the department to require the
submission of information and data regarding the testing of
autonomous vehicles tested pursuant to these provisions. 
The bill would require the operator of the autonomous vehicle
technology to disclose what personal information concerning a pilot
project participant is collected by an autonomous vehicle.
   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 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) 
    (b)  A change in ownership of the property comprising
the GoMentum Station shall not affect the authorization to conduct
testing pursuant to this section. 
   (b) 
    (c)  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) 
    (d)  The operator of the autonomous vehicle technology
tested pursuant to this section shall disclose to an individual who
participates in the pilot project what personal information, if any,
concerning the pilot project participant is collected by an
autonomous vehicle. 
   (d) The department may require the submission of information and
data regarding the testing of autonomous vehicles tested pursuant to
this section. 
   (e) 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.