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California · 2025–26 Regular Session · Senate Bill

SB 480: Autonomous vehicles.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 480 is a senate bill introduced in the California Senate on February 19, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Autonomous vehicles. Primary sponsor: Bob Archuleta (D). Most recent recorded action (October 6, 2025): Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 415, Statutes of 2025.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

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. Existing law requires the department to adopt regulations setting forth requirements for the submission and approval of an application, including, among other things, any testing, equipment, and performance standards the department concludes are necessary to ensure the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads, as specified.

This bill would, commencing January 1, 2026, authorize an autonomous vehicle to be equipped with automated driving system (ADS) marker lamps in accordance with specified standards. For purposes of this provision, the bill would define an “ADS marker lamp” as a device that emits a light to indicate when an ADS is engaged in the operation of the vehicle. The bill would also make conforming changes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Bob ArchuletaPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate30

“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. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 415, Statutes of 2025.
  2. Approved by the Governor.
  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2443.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
  5. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
  6. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 2776.) Ordered to the Senate.
  7. Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
  8. From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).
  9. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
  10. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on C. & C. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on C. & C.
  11. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
  12. Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and C. & C.

Sources

  1. California Legislative Information — pubinfo database export
  2. Official bill page