Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 1246 Strengthening Oversight and Public Safety Standards for Autonomous Vehicles Advances to the Assembly SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) announced that his Senate Bill 1246 (SB 1246), legislation aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency, emergency response, and public safety standards for autonomous vehicles operating on California roads, has successfully passed the California State Senate and will now move to the Assembly for further review and consideration. SB 1246 establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure that as autonomous vehicle (AV) technology continues to expand throughout California, public safety and accountability remain the top priority. “California can continue leading the nation in innovation while also protecting the safety of our communities, first responders, transit operators, pedestrians, and drivers,” said Senator Cortese. “SB 1246 is about accountability, transparency, and making sure autonomous vehicles have clear standards and responsibilities in place when emergencies, accidents, or roadway obstructions occur.” The bill would require remote assistants, remote drivers, and local incident technicians supporting commercial autonomous vehicles to be located within the United States and hold a California driver’s licenses. It also establishes remote staffing standards for autonomous passenger service vehicles and improves rapid response protocols when incidents or emergencies occur. Among its key provisions, SB 1246: - Requires autonomous vehicle operators to maintain emergency response and immobilization procedures - Establishes in-person rapid response requirements for incidents involving property damage, roadway obstructions, or emergency requests from first responders - Requires commercial AVs to be equipped with manual override systems accessible to trained personnel during emergencies - Directs the California Highway Patrol and Office of the State Fire Marshal to develop uniform emergency training and operational guidelines - Requires AV operators to maintain and report operational and emergency response data to state regulators, and - Increases transparency by requiring summary