This sound is generated automatically. Let us know if you have any feedback.
Dive Brief:
- California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 316;, a proposed law that would limit driverless operations of heavy trucks, arguing last week that the state already has the tools to regulate AVs. Lawmakers wanted more oversight through a bill, including the ability to sign off on the approval of such AVs.
- “Assembly Bill 316 is not necessary to regulate and oversee autonomous heavy-duty vehicle technology in California, as existing law provides sufficient authority to create the appropriate regulatory framework,” Newsom said in the veto statementst on Friday.
- The bill sought to require an on-board safety operator for vehicles weighing 10,0001 pounds and gave lawmakers oversight of the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ efforts to allow driverless heavy-duty trucks. It would also require companies to issue collision reports to the state DMV.
Dive Insight:
Lawmakers voted to approve the bill with more than a two-thirds vote in each house – the threshold needed to override a veto – earlier this year. But overriding the veto is rare in California.
The 80-member Assembly previously approved the bill 69-4 in May, and the 40-member Senate approved the measure 36-2 in September.
Heavy trucks are not yet allowed to operate without a driver in California, but the possibility of a change has fueled tensions between autonomous technology companies and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union supported the legislation.
In his statement on the veto, Newsom addressed safety and job issues the sides have debated over the use of the technology, saying his administration remains committed to mitigating any potential job impacts.
“Given my administration’s long-standing commitment to addressing current and future challenges for California jobs and workers, and the existing regulatory framework that currently and adequately governs this particular technology, this bill is not needed at this time Newsom said in the letter.
The governor also noted that state agencies already provide regulatory oversight and said the Department of Motor Vehicles will develop rules around the technology in a transparent, public process.
The governor’s move received support from the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, which represents AV companies such as Aurora Innovation, Kodiak Robotics, TuSimple Holdings, Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Waabi.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the California DMV, California Highway Patrol, Labor and Workforce Development Agency and other state regulators evaluating the future of autonomous truck technology in the state,” said Jeff Farrah, AVIA executive director. a statement.
The governor also said he remains open to working with the bill’s author, sponsors and other stakeholders on “the right approach to safely test and deploy this evolving technology.”