CA AB33: Autonomous vehicles.

In one paragraph

California's AB 33 (2025-26 Regular Session) would have barred delivering commercial goods through an autonomous vehicle without a human safety operator on California highways, with a $10,000 administrative fine for a first violation and $25,000 for later ones. The Assembly passed it 57-7 on May 29, 2025; it was ordered to the Senate inactive file on September 9, 2025 and not taken up again.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill died and never became law. It would have barred autonomous delivery of commercial goods without a human safety operator, with fines of $10,000 then $25,000.

Key provisions

1. 1Would add Sections 38760, 38761 and 38762 to the Vehicle Code
2. 2Would prohibit delivering commercial goods directly to a residence, or to a business for its use or retail sale, by autonomous vehicle without a human safety operator
3. 3First violation would carry a $10,000 administrative fine and subsequent violations $25,000; the Department of Motor Vehicles could suspend or revoke an autonomous vehicle manufacturer's permit for repeated violations
4. 4The department would report to the Legislature on autonomous vehicle performance and its impact on public safety and employment, with state agencies providing information
5. 5Department could not issue a deployment permit for delivering commercial goods without a human safety operator until a later statute authorizes it
6. 6Status: ordered to the inactive file September 9, 2025 at a Senator's request; the session ended without final passage

Latest legislative action

Sep 9, 2025. Ordered to inactive file at the request of the Senator.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 104)

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 6)