Autonomous trucks are the subject of California's bill, which the governor vetoed

For the second straight day, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill addressing concerns about autonomous trucks.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, called for banning the operation of autonomous vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds for testing purposes, transporting goods or transporting passengers without a “human safety officer physically present.” “present” is the vehicle during operation. The ban would last until at least 2030.

Aguiar-Curry supported both bills to prevent autonomous trucks from operating in the state without a human operator on board. The rule would remain in effect until a legislative assessment of autonomous vehicle technology is completed.

Lawmakers have claimed, “There is nothing about a human safety operator that would prevent the autonomous trucking industry from testing and deploying autonomous vehicles anywhere in California.”

Assembly members voted 70-1 to give final legislative approval to this year's bill. Senators previously approved AB2286 by a vote of 31-3.

Despite overwhelming support from the state House, Newsom again declined to pursue it.

Governor highlights regulatory process

A year ago, the legislation was introduced following several public workshops by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to consider a new regulatory process to authorize the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

At the time, Newsom said he opposed the 2023 legislation because regulating and overseeing heavy-duty autonomous vehicle technology in the state was “unnecessary.” In his veto message, the governor referenced state laws that give the DMV the authority to regulate the testing and use of autonomous vehicles on state highways.

He added that “draft regulations are expected to be published for public comment in the coming months.” Despite this September 2023 assurance, draft regulations for autonomous heavy-duty vehicles were not published until this summer.

“A new set of draft regulations, currently open for public input through October 14, provides the nation’s most comprehensive standards for heavy autonomous vehicles,” Newsom wrote in his latest veto message. “These draft regulations propose strict guidelines for heavy-duty AV operations, including limiting operations to roads with speed limits of 50 miles per hour or greater and excluding certain uses, such as carrying passengers or hazardous materials.”

Newsom added that his administration “remains committed to working with the author, sponsors and stakeholders to advance our efforts to meet the needs of traffic safety, worker protection and workplaces as this evolving technology advances in California.”

Veto override attempt unlikely

Despite the veto-proof margin of support in the Statehouse, an attempt to override the veto is not expected.

The California state legislature has not overridden a gubernatorial veto in more than 40 years. LL

More landline coverage from California Messages are available.