June 18 (Reuters) - A group of Democratic Texas

lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay its much-anticipated

robotaxi launch in Austin until September, when a new

autonomous-driving law is scheduled to take effect.

The group of Austin-area lawmakers said in the letter sent

on Wednesday that delaying the launch, which CEO Elon Musk said

could "tentatively" happen this Sunday, "is in the best interest

of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's

operations."

If Tesla decides to move forward with a launch this month,

the lawmakers asked that Tesla respond with "detailed

information" demonstrating how Tesla will comply with the new

state law when it launches.

Musk last year staked Tesla's future on autonomous-driving

technology as it pivoted away from chasing rapid growth in

electric-vehicle sales.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment

on the letter.

It is unclear how much weight a letter from Democratic

lawmakers will carry in a state where Republicans hold the

governorship and majorities in both legislative chambers.

Musk announced in January that Tesla would be offering

"autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and

since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by

investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of

Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid

robots the company has yet to deliver.

Current Texas law allows autonomous-vehicle firms to operate

their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicles meet

basic registration and insurance requirements. The new

legislation, which passed the Texas legislature last month and

has not been signed by the governor, would for the first time

require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for authorization

to operate in the state.

It would give state authorities the power to revoke permits

if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public." Firms

are also required to provide the state information on how police

and first responders can deal with the vehicles in emergency

situations.

Musk and Tesla have given few details about their plans for

the Austin robotaxi launch. The CEO has said the Austin rollout

would begin with 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, and that the company

will begin operating in "only the parts of Austin that we

consider to be the safest." Musk and Tesla have not said who the

passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, where in

Austin they will operate or how extensive remote monitoring and

operation of the vehicles will be.