What SB 1246 does
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, September 4, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Cortese introduced SB 1246 on . The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 8 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 27, 2026: 27 ayes, 9 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 31, 2026: 29 ayes, 7 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Transportation, April 7, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Rules], 8-3.
- Senate Judiciary, April 21, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 9-3.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, 5-2.
- Assembly Transportation, June 22, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Communications and Conveyance], 13-2.
- Assembly Communications and Conveyance, July 1, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 7-1.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass., 11-4.
Who supports and opposes SB 1246
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 17 organizations in support and 36 in opposition. When Senate Transportation first listed positions on April 3, 2026, the count was 7 in support and 14 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 30, 2026 it was 17 to 36.
In support: California State Council of Service Employees International Union (sponsor); Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; California Association of Highway Patrolmen; California Conference Board of the Amalgamated Transit Union; California Federation of Labor Unions, Afl-cio; California Labor Federation, Afl-cio; California Police Chiefs Association; California Professional Firefighters; and 9 more.
Opposed: Abate-a-weed; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Aurora Innovation, INC; Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association; Avrs Group; Bay Area Council; Bot Auto; Calasian Chamber of Commerce; and 28 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for AI organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The AI group at Capitol Axis handles that for AI clients.
Questions about SB 1246
What does SB 1246 do?
SB 1246 concerns autonomous vehicles. See the Legislative Counsel's Digest on leginfo for the full summary.
Has SB 1246 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 9, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 1246?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 30, 2026 lists 17 organizations in support and 36 in opposition. Supporters include California State Council of Service Employees International Union (sponsor); Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; California Association of Highway Patrolmen. Opponents include Abate-a-weed; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; Aurora Innovation, INC.
What happens next with SB 1246?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.