Bill > AB33

This bill addresses autonomous vehicle (AV) technology in California by prohibiting the delivery of commercial goods via autonomous vehicles without a human safety operator on state highways. The bill defines key terms like "commercial goods" and "human safety operator" and establishes strict regulatory measures for AV manufacturers. Specifically, the bill imposes administrative fines of $10,000 for a first violation and $25,000 for subsequent violations of the autonomous delivery prohibition, with the Department of Motor Vehicles empowered to suspend or revoke manufacturer permits for repeated infractions. The legislation mandates a comprehensive report to be submitted to the Legislature by January 1, 2031, which will evaluate autonomous vehicle technology's performance, public safety impacts, and employment consequences. The bill requires collaboration between multiple state agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and State Air Resources Board, to conduct this research. Importantly, the bill prevents the issuance of deployment permits for autonomous commercial delivery vehicles without human safety operators until the Legislature authorizes such permits through future legislation, reflecting a cautious approach to emerging transportation technology. The underlying legislative findings emphasize concerns about potential risks to road safety, worker displacement, and the need to balance technological innovation with workforce protection.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB33