Senator Cortese introduced SB 915, the Autonomous Vehicle Service Deployment and Data Transparency Act. This bill aims to give local communities the authority to determine the regulations and requirements for the operation of driverless vehicles, rather than solely relying on decisions made by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Cortese emphasized the importance of returning control to local communities, stating that they are best equipped to understand the specific needs of their streets. San Francisco’s authorities have expressed a desire for more control over regulations related to autonomous vehicles.
Aaron Peskin, San Francisco Board of Supervisors President, urged companies like Cruise, Waymo, and Zoox to embrace sensible regulations, rather than perpetuating the status quo. Grayson Brulte, from insights firm Road to Autonomy, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of SB 915 on California’s innovation economy, cautioning that it could hinder the state’s advancement in the autonomous driving sector. Discussions on SB 915 are set to commence in the Senate, with a vote on the legislation expected to take place later this year. Waymo, a major player in autonomous driving, is awaiting a response from the CPUC regarding its expansion plans, scheduled for February 20.
The CPUC staff will have the option to approve, deny, or suspend the application, with the latter offering an extended period of up to 120 days for review. ¿Cuáles son tus pensamientos?