Update on California AI Measures After Conclusion of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session

Sept. 30, 2024, looms as the deadline for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign or veto any bills cleared by the legislature and sent to the governor’s office by the end of its regular session. There were some surprises on AI legislation with implications for discussions across the nation on AI policy, with key outcomes hinging on Gov. Newsom, as industry stakeholders weigh in on the different approaches taken by the legislature in these measures.

Notably, on Sept. 20 Newsom vetoed SB 892, which would have established stringent new assessments and controls for state agencies using “automated decision systems,” as very broadly defined. According to his veto message, Newsom cited disruption to “existing information technology modernization efforts, which would lead to implementation delays and higher expenses for critical projects,” and costs that were not accounted for in the budget. Earlier this month SIA had sent a letter to the governor outlining similar concerns, including that the legislation would impose blanket requirements for procurement of almost any modern software tool without any risk-based framework. SIA and other organizations representing technology suppliers recently expressed similar concerns about a measure under consideration in New York by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Here is a status update for key AI-related bills in California that SIA is tracking.

• AB-2930: Automated Decision Tools – Did not clear Senate.
• SB-1047: Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act – Cleared Senate, but a veto is reportedly under consideration.
• SB-892: Public Contracts, Automated Decision Systems, Procurement Standards – Vetoed by Gov. Newsom.
• SB-896: Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act – Cleared Senate, enactment likely.
• AB-2013: Transparency on AI Training Data – Cleared Senate, enactment likely.

For more information, see SIA’s previous post on these measures, and look for a SIA update on the final outcome for these measures in October.