California DMV + Tesla Full Self-Driving
| Submitted | Oct. 22, 2020 |
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Communications
From: Aarian Marshall
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any documents dated between 01/01/20 and 10/22/20 related to the company Tesla's Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving" feature . This request includes, but is not limited to, correspondence, data, safety reports, presentations, permits, applications, schedules, schematics, and budget documents by the department, or any department employee or representative, pertaining to or with Tesla's Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving" features.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Louise Matsakis
From: Department of Motor Vehicles
October 30, 2020
Louise Matsakis
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 104156
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: Public Records Act Request
20-04906
Dear Ms. Matsakis:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles acknowledges receipt of your email dated and received on October 22, 2020, requesting records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.).
Government Code section 6253, subdivision (c), allows the Department a fourteen (14) day extension to respond to a California Public Records Act request in “unusual circumstances,” as enumerated in subdivision (c). The following “unusual circumstances” apply to this matter:
* The need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request.
Accordingly, the Department will inform you of its decision within fourteen (14) days from the date of this communication.
Sincerely,
Emily Bisnett
Attorney
Department of Motor Vehicles
Legal Affairs Division
2415 1st Avenue, MS-C128
Sacramento, CA 95818
Tel: 916-657-6469
Fax: 916-657-6243
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Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, delete the original and reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the original message.
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From: Department of Motor Vehicles
November 13, 2020
Louise Matsakis
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 104156
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: Public Records Act Request
20-04906
Dear Ms. Matsakis:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles further responds to your email dated and received on October 22, 2020, requesting the following records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.).
"Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any documents dated between 01/01/20 and 10/22/20 related to the company Tesla's Autopilot and 'Full Self-Driving' feature. This request includes, but is not limited to, correspondence, data, safety reports, presentations, permits, applications, schedules, schematics, and budget documents by the department, or any department employee or representative, pertaining to or with Tesla's Autopilot and 'Full Self-Driving' features."
The Department has identified documents that are responsive to your request, some of which are still being reviewed, and may be identified as fully or partially exempt from disclosure under various provisions of the Public Records Act. This review will be completed and a final response provided to you next week. A courtesy copy of documents responsive to your request that are not exempt from disclosure are attached.
Sincerely,
Emily Bisnett
Attorney
Department of Motor Vehicles
Legal Affairs Division
2415 1st Avenue, MS-C128
Sacramento, CA 95818
Tel: 916-657-6469
Fax: 916-657-6243
******************************************************************************************************************************************
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, delete the original and reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the original message.
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From: Department of Motor Vehicles
November 20, 2020
Louise Matsakis
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 104156
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
Re: Public Records Act Request
20-04906
Dear Ms. Matsakis:
The California Department of Motor Vehicles again acknowledges your email dated and received on October 22, 2020, requesting the following records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.).
"Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
Any documents dated between 01/01/20 and 10/22/20 related to the company Tesla's Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving" feature. This request includes, but is not limited to, correspondence, data, safety reports, presentations, permits, applications, schedules, schematics, and budget documents by the department, or any department employee or representative, pertaining to or with Tesla's Autopilot and "Full Self-Driving" features."
As discussed in my email on November 13, 2020, the balance of records responsive to your request have been reviewed, some of which the Department has determined are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act, pursuant to the attorney-client privilege and the deliberative process privilege. (Government Code § 6254(k); Evidence Code § 952 and § 954; Government Code § 6255 and appellate cases interpreting that section, including Times Mirror Co. v. Superior Court (1991) 53 Cal. 3d 1325.) Withholding disclosure of such records is necessary to assure full candor among the program staff and senior policy officials at DMV tasked with regulating autonomous vehicles in California, as well as necessary to protect the decision-making process of senior policy officials of the Department and the California State Transportation Agency tasked with evaluating regulatory issues and policy matters; accordingly, the Department has determined that the public interest in protecting such candor clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure. As such, such documents have been withheld or redacted. The person responsible for making this determination is Miguel Acosta, Chief of the Autonomous Vehicles Branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A courtesy copy of the non-exempt documents is attached.
Sincerely,
Emily Bisnett
Attorney
Department of Motor Vehicles
Legal Affairs Division
2415 1st Avenue, MS-C128
Sacramento, CA 95818
Tel: 916-657-6469
Fax: 916-657-6243
******************************************************************************************************************************************
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail, delete the original and reply e-mail, and destroy all copies of the original message.
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