AB 33: Autonomous vehicles.

Official summary

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

Existing law authorizes the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes by a driver who possesses the proper class of license for the type of vehicle operated if specified requirements are satisfied. Existing law prohibits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads until the manufacturer submits an application to the Department of Motor Vehicles, as specified, and that application is approved. A violation of the Vehicle Code or a local ordinance adopted pursuant to that code is an infraction.

This bill would prohibit the delivery of commercial goods, as defined, directly to a residence or to a business for its use or retail sale through the operation of an autonomous vehicle without a human safety operator on any highway within the State of California. The bill would make a first violation of this provision subject to a $10,000 administrative fine and a $25,000 administrative fine for subsequent violations. The bill would authorize the department to suspend or revoke the permit of an autonomous vehicle manufacturer for repeated violations of this provision.

The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the performance of autonomous vehicle technology and its impact on public safety and employment, as specified. This bill would require all relevant state agencies, including, among others, the Department of Transportation and the State Air Resources Board, to provide information to the department to research this report. The bill would prohibit the department from issuing a deployment permit for the use of an autonomous vehicle to deliver commercial goods without a human safety operator until a later enacted statute authorizes the issuance of a permit for that purpose.

The bill would also make certain findings and declarations related to these provisions.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 2

“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 9, 2025Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Gonzalez.
2. August 29, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
4. July 14, 2025In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5. July 1, 2025Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. July 1, 2025Withdrawn from committee.
7. June 30, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
8. June 25, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
9. June 11, 2025Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and JUD.
10. May 29, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
11. May 29, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 57. Noes 7. Page 1773.)
12. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.