AB 2502: Vehicles: driving under the influence: driving automation.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law makes it unlawful for a person who has 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in their blood to drive a vehicle or to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and prescribes certain penalties depending on additional facts, such as whether the driving resulted in an injury to another. Existing decisional law holds that the slight volitional movement of the vehicle is sufficient for a driving under the influence violation.

This bill would state that for the purposes of a driving under the influence violation, “drive” includes the volitional movement of a vehicle with driver support features engaged that require a person to supervise the vehicle in order to steer, brake, or accelerate, as needed to maintain safety. To the extent that this bill would expand the scope of a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 27, 2026Vetoed by Governor.
2. September 3, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
3. August 26, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6585.).
4. August 25, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
5. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.).
6. August 24, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
8. August 6, 2026Ordered to third reading.
9. August 6, 2026From Consent Calendar.
10. August 4, 2026Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
11. August 3, 2026From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
12. July 2, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.