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Committee advances bill requiring AV companies to coordinate incident response after first-responder concerns
Summary
SB 1246 would require autonomous vehicle companies to provide vehicle location/status during system failures, base remote drivers in the U.S., dispatch trained incident technicians, and face penalties if AVs interfere with first-responder operations for more than 30 minutes; unions and firefighters supported the bill while industry groups urged further amendment on federal preemption and operational details.
Senator Cortese presented SB 12 46, saying incidents involving autonomous vehicles (AVs) — including reports of fleets stopping at blocked intersections and interfering with emergency operations — have increased as deployments expand. The bill would require AV companies to provide local jurisdictions with location and status information when system-wide failures occur, require U.S.-based remote operations staff with U.S. driver's licenses, and mandate that companies dispatch trained autonomous-vehicle incident technicians to scenes when remote movement or assistance is not possible.
"In December, a citywide power outage in San Francisco caused 1,500 Waymo stoppages at blocked intersections and impeded first responders," the author said, noting remote operations were overwhelmed and emergency personnel were delayed. The bill directs the DMV, with stakeholder input, to set guidelines for response times and creates penalties if an AV interferes with first-responder work for more than 30 minutes during an emergency.
Unions and firefighters supported the measure, with Megan Soopers of the California Professional Firefighters describing AVs entering live fire incidents and blocking hoses. SEIU California said the bill prevents public employees from being used as roadside assistance.
Industry witnesses framed an "oppose unless amended" position. Sarah Boot of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association said the bill risks regulating vehicle design and performance — an area governed by federal standards — and objected to allowing local governments to enforce manufacturer DMV permits; she also flagged that the bill's definition of a local incident technician could prevent use of nearer tow companies that do not meet a 50-employee threshold and called for more flexibility on penalties where access is impossible due to emergency conditions.
Committee members questioned the balance between statewide DMV authority and local enforcement and urged continued negotiations; the author said discussions were ongoing and amendments had reduced some issues. The committee moved SB 12 46 (moved by Assemblymember Lowenthal; seconded by Assemblymember Rogers) and recommended it be referred to Appropriations; the reported committee tally was 7–1 in favor. The committee left the bill open so absent members could add votes.
