Senate committee sends self-driving car bill to floor for a vote

The Senate's version of self-driving car legislation is escaping political limbo. Senators in the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee have unanimously approved the AV START Act, which lets car makers pursue safety exemptions for autonomous vehicles based on production volume and gives states control over rules for registration, licensing, insurance and safety (though not performance). The measure now goes to the Senate floor, where it'll eventually face a vote. The House of Representatives had already passed its take on the bill in early September, so a Senate vote in favor would leave only the matter of reconciling the two bills and sending the result to the President's desk to sign. Both bills exempt self-driving big rigs in the wake of pressure from labor unions, which are worried both about safety and job security for truckers.