BILL NUMBER: SB 431	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 21, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 6, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Beall

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to amend Sections 21703 and 21705 of the Vehicle Code,
relating to vehicles, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take
effect immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 431, as amended, Beall. Vehicles: driver-assistive truck
platooning.
   Existing law prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from following
another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having
due regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon, and the
condition of, the roadway.
   This bill would require a determination of a reasonable and
prudent distance between 2 vehicles, for those purposes, to take into
account presence of vehicle automation technology, as described.
   Existing law requires motor vehicles being driven in a caravan or
motorcade outside of a business or residence district to be operated
so as to allow sufficient space, and in no event less than 100 feet,
between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any
other vehicle to overtake or pass.
   This bill would provide that  the above provision does not
apply to a vehicle equipped with a driver-assistive truck platooning
system, as defined, that is being driven upon a highway with 2 or
more lanes of traffic in the direction of travel.   a
caravan or motorcade consists of 3 or more motor vehicles. 
   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute.
   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated
local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21703 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21703.  (a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another
vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due
regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon, and the
condition of, the roadway.
   (b) A determination of a reasonable and prudent distance between
two vehicles for purposes of subdivision (a) shall take into account
the presence of vehicle automation technology, including, but not
limited to, a driver-assistive truck platooning system.
   (c) For the purposes of this section, "driver-assistive truck
platooning system" means vehicle automation technology that
integrates sensor array, wireless communications, vehicle controls,
and specialized software to synchronize acceleration and braking
between two vehicles, while leaving each vehicle's steering control
and systems command in the control of its driver.
  SEC. 2.  Section 21705 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   21705.  (a) Motor vehicles being driven outside of a business or
residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing
other vehicles, shall be operated so as to allow sufficient space,
and in no event less than 100 feet, between each vehicle or
combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to overtake
or pass. 
   (b) (1) This section does not apply to a vehicle equipped with a
driver-assistive truck platooning system that is being driven upon a
highway with two or more lanes for traffic in the direction of
travel.  
   (2) For the purposes of this subdivision, "driver-assistive truck
platooning system" means vehicle automation technology that
integrates sensor array, wireless communications, vehicle controls,
and specialized software to synchronize acceleration and braking
between two vehicles, while leaving each vehicle's steering control
and systems command in the control of its driver.  
   (b) For purposes of this section, a caravan or motorcade consists
of three or more motor vehicles. 
  SEC. 3.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to take advantage of federal funds that are currently
available to states for the purpose of testing automated vehicle
technologies on roads and highways, it is necessary that this act
take effect immediately.