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SB 915 PROGRESS DESPITE Pushback
Should local governments be allowed to adopt their own regulations around autonomous vehicles (also known as robotaxis, self-driving vehicles or AVs)?
A bill that would do just that moved one step closer to becoming law on Wednesday Senate Committee on Local Government seemed to approve of it SB 915by sen. Dave CorteseD-San Jose.
In comments supporting his bill, Cortese said local governments are “more agile” than state governments State lawand can respond quickly to issues within their jurisdiction in a fraction of the time that state legislatures can.
“SB 915 puts control back in the hands of the local communities who know their streets best. The rise of autonomous vehicles is an exciting technological development with enormous potential benefits in safety and convenience. We must ensure this innovative technology is rolled out safely,” Cortese said in comments included in a committee analysis of the bill.
The bill received significant opposition – from stakeholders such as businesses Tesla And Waymofrom business groups such as the California Chamber of Commerce and even from a handful of local elected officials, including the mayor of El Segundo Drew Boyles.
A coalition of groups wrote a letter to committee chairman Sen. Maria Elena DurazoD-Los Angeles, arguing that allowing local governments to regulate AVs would not increase safety on California’s roadways.
They said the plan would confuse the efforts of state regulators (AVs are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Department of Motor Vehicles) and prevent uniform AV operations across the state by creating “a small patchwork of local ordinances that block mobility options for all Californians.”
The bill is supported by organized labor groups, including the California Labor Federation And Teamsters from Californiaas well as a variety of municipalities (including the city of oakland) and municipal groups (including the League of Cities in California).
The final vote for the bill could not be determined within the deadline, but Senator Durazo and Scott WienerD-San Francisco, voted in favor, while Sen. Steven GlazerD-Orinda, voted no.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“What’s the best way to say this? We are in discussions with the company you refer to. Let’s leave it at that.”
– California Governor Gavin Newsom responded during a press conference on Tuesday to a question about Google removing California news links from its search platform.
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