Republican Gov. candidate Steve Hilton joins CNN’s Dana Bash after one of his opponents, Rep. Eric Swalwell, exited the California governor’s race amid sexual misconduct allegations. “We desperately need change. And no Democrat can provide that,” Hilton says.

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A new effort to crack down on dangerous drivers in California is gaining attention as lawmakers push forward legislation aimed at repeat speeders.

Assembly member Esmeralda Soria has introduced a bill that would require certain drivers with multiple speeding offenses to install a device in their vehicles that automatically limits how fast they can go. The measure, known as the “Stop Super Speeders Act” (AB 2276), is designed to improve road safety and prevent deadly crashes.

The program could first roll out as a pilot in several counties, including Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Shasta. While the proposal was initially intended to be implemented statewide, consultants recommended starting with a smaller pilot program.

The legislation is driven in part by tragic cases like that of Paul Martinez, who was killed at just 21 years old after being struck by a speeding driver in Fresno. His father, Joe Martinez, says the loss is something he lives with every day.

“Being 21 years old and suddenly your entire life, dreams, goals—everything—is just wiped out by the distraction of one person who was speeding,” he said. According to reports, the driver who hit Paul was traveling 54 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone.

Traffic safety remains a serious concern in Fresno. Data from Smart Growth America ranks the city as the seventh worst in the nation for pedestrian deaths.

“I do not want to see another father who grieves every single day because he lost his child to someone driving recklessly,” Soria said.

Under AB 2276, judges would have the authority to require repeat offenders to install Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices in their vehicles. The technology functions similarly to cruise control but automatically adjusts a car’s speed based on posted limits using GPS data.

“Once the technology is installed, it knows the speed limit of the neighborhood or freeway and makes adjustments accordingly,” Soria explained. “This is for those folks who haven’t learned their lesson from simply getting a ticket.”

However, the proposal has drawn criticism from some groups. Opponents argue that the bill’s language is too broad and could create unintended safety risks. Critics say there are situations where drivers may need to accelerate quickly to avoid danger, and limiting speed could make those situations more hazardous.

Supporters counter that the bill is about accountability and protecting lives on the road.

“You would think this is a no-brainer bill,” said Martinez, “It holds repeat offenders accountable.”

The bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process. Its next step is review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

The California Republican Party will make endorsements of the candidates running for office — including for the state’s next governor — on Sunday during the final day of the California Republican Convention in San Diego.

Candidates made their plea for endorsement to the party’s delegates at the convention, held at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island, on Saturday — with promises to root out alleged misuse of spending, push forward voter identification initiatives and boost affordability in the state.

The party faces what could be an uphill battle to win in the majority Democratic state, and is also coming off the loss of Proposition 50 last year, in which voters overwhelmingly voted to redistrict the state to benefit Democrats.

Despite the challenges, Republican candidates and convention attendees showed up hopeful for their odds — with especially strong enthusiasm behind the two candidates for governor, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steven Hilton.

“This election has always been ours for the taking,” said Bianco. “It is up to us — conservative, common-sense Republicans — to show proven leadership, compassion and integrity matters.”

Hilton has been endorsed by President Donald Trump — a development some expect could hurt his chances of winning in the largely blue state.

But many of the candidates expressed support and alignment with the Trump administration and its policies, including efforts to ban transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports and abolish sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

“It’s going to be a whole new story in California,” Hilton said. “We are going to play our part in (Trump’s) golden age for America.”

That support for Trump was on full display at the convention, with loud cheers from the audience when the candidates mentioned the president’s policies and signs saying “Make California Golden Again,” co-opting his signature slogan.

Associate delegate from Ventura County Jennifer McCarthy says she wants a candidate with Trump’s ideals, which is why she’s supporting Hilton.

“I think he has the political and the business experience, plus the media experience, that he will be able to make the difference in California,” she added.

The party’s delegates will announce its endorsements during the final day of the convention on Sunday.

Along with the candidate forum, the convention on Saturday offered a series of events, including a book signing with former Trump administration press secretary Sean Spicer and a panel on voter identification and the future of elections.

Booths with volunteers promoting candidates and vendors selling merchandise lined the main hall of the convention, and bedazzled clothing for sale — along with rows of “Make America Great Again” hats and other Trump-related merchandise — further decorated the space.

San Diego resident Blake Marnell says he’s been often seen at Trump rallies wearing a signature suit with a brick pattern on it — to symbolize his support for the Trump administration’s border fence — but he left the outfit at home on Saturday, since the convention was more focused on California issues.

Marnell is supportive of Hilton for governor and says he thinks he will be able to reach independent voters as well as Republicans.

“I don’t see Steve Hilton as being a party politician,” he said. “He’s got a lot of crossover.”

But Louisa Millington, from Riverside, says Trump’s endorsement of Hilton is detrimental in a state like California.

“I would vote for (Trump) again today, but in California, we need a governor for California, not for Washington, D.C.,” she said. “We can’t have our president picking and crowning who’s going to be our governor in California.”