BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2682 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 20, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2682 (Chang) - As Amended March 18, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Transportation |Vote:|16 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill requires DMV, upon the development of a model state policy on autonomous vehicles by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to hold public hearings on the model policy and, to the extent authorized by other law, AB 2682 Page 2 consider conforming DMV regulations with the model policy. FISCAL EFFECT: Minor absorbable costs to DMV, which indicates it has been in constant communication with NHTSA regarding the department's autonomous vehicle regulations and will likely be able to easily conform its regulatory package to NHTSA's model state policy. COMMENTS: 1)Background and Purpose. DMV is currently in the process of adopting regulations applicable to the operation of autonomous vehicles, pursuant to SB 1298 (Padilla), Chapter 570, Statutes of 2012. In December 2015, DMV released, for public review, an early draft of the regulations for the full deployment of autonomous vehicles, and expects to initiate the final regulatory process this summer. In January, the U.S Transportation Secretary announced that within six months, the NHTSA will: 1) consult with industry and other stakeholders to develop guidance on the safe deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles; and 2) consult with state partners, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and other stakeholders to develop a model state policy on automated vehicles that offers a path to consistent national policy. According to the author, this bill ensures California remains a technological leader when the model policy is issued, and remains competitive for any new related federal funds that become available in the future. AB 2682 Page 3 2)Related Legislation. AB 2866 (Gatto), pending in Assembly Transportation, requires DMV and the CHP to conduct a pilot project in three counties, in conjunction with one or more manufacturers of autonomous vehicles, to test the safety and feasibility of operating autonomous vehicles on public roads. Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081