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AB-669 Department of Transportation: motor vehicle technology testing.(2017-2018)



Current Version: 10/04/17 - Chaptered

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AB669:v95#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 669
CHAPTER 472

An act to amend Section 14107 of the Government Code, relating to transportation.

[ Approved by Governor  October 04, 2017. Filed with Secretary of State  October 04, 2017. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 669, Berman. Department of Transportation: motor vehicle technology testing.
Existing law establishes rules of the road for the operation of a vehicle on state highways and roads. Existing law requires motor vehicles being driven outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, to be operated so as to allow sufficient space and in no event less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to overtake or pass.
Existing law authorizes the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to conduct testing of technologies that enable drivers to safely operate motor vehicles with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles and would exempt motor vehicles participating in this testing from the above-described rule. Existing law requires the department to report its findings from the testing to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017. Existing law repeals these provisions on January 1, 2018.
This bill would postpone that repeal until January 1, 2020, and would require the department to submit an updated report to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2019. The bill would prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle participating in this testing unless the person holds a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class for the participating vehicle.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 14107 of the Government Code is amended to read:

14107.
 (a) The department, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, may conduct testing of technologies that enable drivers to safely operate motor vehicles with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 21705 of the Vehicle Code or any other provision of law, motor vehicles participating in testing of those technologies pursuant to subdivision (a) may be operated with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of those vehicles.
(c) The department may only use motor vehicles and streets and highways in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) that the Department of the California Highway Patrol authorizes for those uses.
(d) A person may not operate a motor vehicle participating in testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) unless the person holds a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class for the participating vehicle.
(e) The department shall report its findings from the testing conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017, and shall submit an updated report to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2019. The reports required by this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2020, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2020, deletes or extends that date.