Sponsor
Kevin Mullin
Representative · D-CA
Representative · D-CA
Official title: To establish minimum standards for how autonomous vehicle operators work with emergency responders, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 3, 2026 by Kevin Mullin · Last progress August 3, 2026
The bill improves emergency response, coordination, and regulatory clarity for automated vehicles—helping responders and prospective buyers—but imposes new compliance costs, privacy/security risks, potential service disruptions from strict geofence rules, and risks faster deployment before safety issues are fully resolved.
First responders (police, fire, EMS) and occupants benefit from standardized, ISO‑aligned rescue sheets and emergency response guides that improve extrication procedures, on-scene safety, and response times.
Responders, local agencies, and the public gain faster coordination and access to information via a centralized, mobile-friendly repository plus mandated 24/7 hotlines and rapid answer times, improving incident planning and real-time support.
Clarified ADS (automated driving system) definitions and explicit rules on covered entities/operators make it easier for buyers to understand and purchase Level 3–5 vehicles and give manufacturers and regulators clearer legal footing for deployment.
Broader, government-recognized ADS definitions could accelerate market entry of automated vehicles before safety issues are fully resolved, raising crash and vulnerability risks for drivers and other road users.
Covered companies face new, potentially substantial compliance costs to prepare and update standardized guides, maintain hotlines, and meet tight response timelines, which may be passed to consumers or taxpayers.
Strict geofence/timeframe rules (e.g., very rapid compliance windows and authority to order vehicles out of areas for up to 72 hours) risk grounding vehicles or disrupting travel and commerce in affected zones.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires ADS vehicle manufacturers/operators to provide standardized emergency response guides and rescue sheets to NHTSA and local responders and to maintain a public repository.
Requires manufacturers and operators of vehicles with Level 3–5 automated driving systems to create and share standardized emergency response guides and concise rescue sheets that explain how emergency responders should interact with, disable, tow, access, and communicate with automated vehicles. Covered entities must provide these materials to local first responder agencies and to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which must host a public, mobile-friendly, searchable repository. Sets deadlines and update rules for submission (initial submission within 180 days of enactment or before operating in a region), requires a required hotline and responder contact methods, specifies content tied to ISO 17840 standards (or Administrator-established standards), and defines key terms such as covered vehicle, covered entity, ADS, geofence notice, unplanned stoppage, and rescue sheet.