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Capitol Roundup: Governor Signs Driverless Car Legislation


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Legislation aimed at getting the first driverless vehicles on the road in California was signed into law Tuesday. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill at Google headquarters in Mountain View.


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(Sacramento, CA)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Google has a dozen computer controlled cars - most of them Toyota Priuses -- equipped with self-driving technology.

Designers say the robotic vehicles could make roads safer, since most car accidents are the result of human error.

Governor Brown signed a bill that will set safety and performance regulations to test and operate the driverless cars on California roads.

GOV. BROWN: "Today we're looking at science fiction becoming tomorrow's reality, the self driving car"

Democratic Senator Alex Padilla authored the legislation that received bipartisan support.

PADILLA: "We can save lives, we can create jobs and ease congestion and reduce emissions in the process, that's a dream bill, whether you're an engineer or a politician."

In February, Nevada became the first state to approve regulations spelling out requirements for companies to test driverless cars.

Governor Signs Several Environment-Related Bills

 
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a number of bills Tuesday that he says are designed to help the environment and improve state parks.
 
Two bills will keep state parks open and improve their management.
 
One of them places a two-year moratorium on any park closure.
 
It designates $30 million to prevent parks from closing, to match private and local donations, and for park maintenance.
 
Another bill requires the state parks department to create a plan to generate revenues and calls for tighter accounting practices.
 
Brown also signed legislation that supporters call the Human Right to Water Bill, which says that every human being has the right to clean, affordable and accessible water.
 
And the Governor signed a bill that tweaks California's Environmental Quality Act to make it easier for cities to make minor safety improvements to existing roads.
 
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