No Driver, No Oversight? Not Anymore—Senator Cortese Advances SB 1246

SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) has introduced Senate Bill 1246 (SB 1246) relating to accountability, oversight, and transparency of autonomous vehicles (AVs) such as driverless robotaxis. SB 1246 was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee and is now on its way to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  

“Autonomous vehicles are not some distant promise—they are here, now, operating on the same streets as our families and first responders,” said Senator Cortese. “The question isn’t whether this technology will move forward—it’s whether we are going to demand it be safe, transparent, and accountable before more people get hurt. Right now, the pace of deployment is outstripping the pace of oversight. That is unacceptable. Californians should not be used as test subjects for unfinished technology.”

SB 1246 will standardize AV remote operations, improve communication with local first responders, and provide first responders with the resources and assistance they need to deal with stalled AVs on our roads. Specifically, SB 1246 will: 

  • Ensure the humans responsible for remote AV operations know California traffic laws;
  • End the practice of one person monitoring dozens of vehicles with no accountability;
  • Ensure that first responders don’t have to wait for prolonged periods to clear critical AV obstructions and immobilizations;
  • Give first responders a guaranteed on-site contact within 10 minutes;
  • Provide cities and counties real enforcement authority to prevent and deter unsafe autonomous vehicle activity with penalties that go back to the local jurisdictions;
  • Require AV operators to be transparent about their safety record through public monthly reporting. 

As California prepares for the continuous deployment of AVs, SB 1246 builds on past legislative efforts to hold AV manufacturers accountable and keep our streets safe.

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

###