Senator Dave Cortese Responds to California DMV Autonomous Vehicle Regulations, Reaffirms Push for SB 1246
SAN JOSE, CA – California State Senator Dave Cortese (District 15) issued the following statement in response to new regulations from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding the operation and deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in California:
“The California DMV’s proposed AV regulations reinforce exactly why I introduced Senate Bill 1246 — because innovation without accountability cannot be tolerated when public safety is at stake.
As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I convened a major informational hearing earlier this year bringing together industry leaders, first responders, safety advocates, labor representatives, crash survivors, and state regulators to confront the growing gaps in oversight surrounding autonomous vehicle deployment in California.
That hearing made one thing unmistakably clear: the pace of autonomous vehicle deployment is rapidly outstripping the pace of public safeguards and regulatory accountability.
Panelists and witnesses raised serious concerns regarding safety performance, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, emergency response coordination, fragmented regulatory authority, and the lack of transparency surrounding crashes and incidents involving autonomous systems already operating on California roads.
We also heard heartbreaking testimony from individuals directly impacted by autonomous driving technology failures — a sobering reminder that these are not theoretical risks. These vehicles are operating today on the same streets used by families, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency responders.
Senate Bill 1246 was introduced to strengthen safety standards, improve reporting requirements, close dangerous regulatory loopholes, and ensure Californians are not treated as test subjects for unfinished technology.
The DMV’s action signals growing recognition that stronger oversight is needed. But regulations alone are not enough unless they are paired with meaningful transparency, enforceable accountability, and a commitment to putting public safety ahead of corporate speed-to-market pressures.
California has long led the world in innovation. We must now lead just as forcefully on accountability.”
On Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, Senator Cortese convened an informational hearing on autonomous vehicles. You may view the informational hearing on the California State Senate website here.
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
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