The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has unanimously endorsed Senate Bill 915, which seeks to grant local jurisdictions more authority over the deployment of autonomous vehicles amid Alphabet-owned Waymo's pending application for robotaxi operations in the county. This bill addresses concerns over local input and public safety following issues observed with AVs in San Francisco.

Waymo's proposal for commercial robotaxi operations in San Mateo County has been preliminarily approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and is awaiting approval from the California Public Unitilies Commission (CPUC).

Local officials in San Mateo County have expressed concerns over public safety, coordination with emergency services, and the need for local oversight to manage the impact of AVs on community roads and public welfare. They have also acknowledged the potential benefits of robotaxis in enhancing mobility.

Analyst QuickTake: If Waymo is granted final state approvals to operate in San Mateo, it would represent a significant expansion of its robotaxi service, potentially positioning the county alongside San Francisco and Phoenix as key operational areas for the company. However, introducing local regulatory measures could challenge Waymo's expansion plans.