In today’s suspense hearing, California Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved CA Senate Bill AB 316, which requires that autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds have a “human safety operator” (i.e. a driver) physically present whenever on public roads.

The bill also requires that the California DMV submit a policy report in 5 years to the state Legislature evaluating the performance of AV trucks and their impact on public safety and the labor market. Currently, heavyweight autonomous vehicles are not permitted to operate under the AV testing permit program that the DMV operates. AB 316 was previously approved by the California State Assembly and Senate Transportation Committee.

It now heads back to the full Senate for another vote. If it passes this vote, it will head to Governor Newsom for final approval.

— Sanjana Friedman