Governor Signs Bill to Create AI Inventory
Among his final legislative actions for 2023, Gov. Newsom signed AB 302 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) which calls for the California Department of Technology to develop a comprehensive inventory of automated decision systems (ADS) used in state programs by September 1, 2024.
Governor Signs Bill to Require ‘.gov’ Domain for Cities and Counties
Governor Newsom has signed a bill that will require all California cities and counties to use a government-designated domain, his office announced on Sunday (Oct. 8). AB 1637 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) seeks to address cybersecurity and enhance public trust in government websites in California by requiring cities and counties in the state to transition their public internet websites and employee email addresses to utilize a ".gov" or ".ca.gov" domain by January 1, 2029.
Legislation Proposes to Create AI Working Group Across California Agencies
Senate Bill 721 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) was amended last week to propose creating the California Interagency AI Working Group, which would “deliver a report to the Legislature, as prescribed, regarding artificial intelligence” until January 1, 2030.
Upcoming Bill Hearings on Automated Decision Systems, Drone Cybersecurity and IT Security Uniform Standards
The following technology-related bill will be heard in the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on Tuesday, March 21st, at 1:30 pm.
Legislation Proposes New CDT Office of Artificial Intelligence
The California Department of Technology will have a new Office of Artificial Intelligence with "powers and authorities necessary to guide the design, use, and deployment of automated systems by a state agency," if Senate Bill 313 (Dodd- D) is passed by the Legislature. Proposed this week, the bill has basic language that will likely be amended with more details. The purpose appears to be aimed at preventing bias and promoting "equitable outcomes for Californians."
Modular Contracting Bills Stall
Legislation that would have mandated modular contracting for large-scale IT projects has failed passage by the Assembly Appropriations committee, ending the possibility of it becoming state law. Assemblymembers Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) and Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) introduced Assembly Bill 1806, which would have required the use of modular contracting by the California Department of Technology (CDT) for projects with a budget of $2.5 million or more.
Assembly to Hold Hearing on EDD Reform
On Monday, Oct. 25, Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee will be holding an informational hearing to update the public on reform at the Employment Development Department (EDD).
State Capitol: Major Changes Ahead for California Tech
California’s future is heavily invested in innovative technology, but numerous legacy IT systems across the state struggle to modernize, exceeding the budget, schedule, or both. Moreover, the state lacks enterprise collaboration, with countless siloed platforms such as the often-cited example of 79 separate case management systems across 22 departments.
Legislation would be game-changer for IT modernization
California’s future is heavily invested in innovative technology, but numerous legacy IT systems across the state struggle to modernize, exceeding the budget, schedule, or both.
PG&E Warns of 3rd PSPS Event of the Year for Northern California
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) today issued a press release warning its customers that the third Public Power Safety Shutoff (PSPS) of the year may be called this week, as a result of a forecast of high winds and dry conditions coupled with temperatures reaching the mid 90’s. PG&E stressed that the most difficult period this week could be Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. However, PG&E also stated that a second event may materialize on Thursday afternoon and could last through Friday. PSPS events are designed to reduce the threat of wildfires that could be caused by high winds and [...]
CAISO, CPUC, CEC Issue Preliminary Report on Blackouts
The Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee will be holding an oversight hearing with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and California Energy Commission (CEC) aimed at reviewing a report on the rolling blackouts triggered in August. The Preliminary Root Cause Analysis 121 page report issued by the three energy agencies today offered the following three key findings.
Assembly exempts solar farms from ‘split roll’ tax initiative
The Assembly has approved SB 364 (Mitchell) to exempt solar farms from Proposition 15, the "split-roll" initiative on the November ballot.
Legislation to Regulate Facial Recognition Technology Stalls
Assembly Bill 2261 by Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park), which would regulate the way government agencies use facial recognition technology (FRT), was stalled in committee this week.
Pumped Storage Legislation Advancing
As we have been reporting, there are two bills dealing with the NextEra Eagle Crest Pumped Storage Project: one is currently being held in committee, and the other passed unanimously and is on its way to the Appropriations Committee where it will likely be held – at least for a while.
An Ambitious Environmental Agenda that Includes Climate Bond and California’s Own Green New Deal
Legislators returned to work this week and wasted little time in promoting a climate bond to deal with the next climate-related catastrophe, as well as California’s own Green New Deal to help with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and homelessness.
Housing Data Bill Passes Legislature
Legislation requiring local government agencies to post housing-related data online yesterday passed the Senate and is now on its way to the governor's desk. AB 1483 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) bill requires cities and counties to post specified housing-related information on their Web sites and calls for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to establish a workgroup to develop a strategy for state housing data.
Legislation to create state AI advisor moving forward
The director of the California Department of Technology will have authority to hire a new advisor on the uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in state government if the governor approves a measure that earlier this week passed both houses of the Legislature. The new position will advise the department on "incorporating artificial intelligence into state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards, and enterprise architecture."
Vendors Subject to New Performance Review Under Pending Legislation
Information Technology vendors working for the State of California will undergo new performance evaluations for all contracts of $500,000 or more, under pending legislation by Assembymember Rudy Salas (D- San Francisco). AB 971 requires departments awarding contracts information technology services to complete a thorough post-evaluation of the contractor and for public officials who sign reports to confirm its accuracy. The reports will not be subject to the California Public Records Act, according to the latest version of the bill which is in the final stages of the legislative process. As of Monday, the bill has passed both houses and is on its way to the governor's desk.
Tech Vendors Subject to New Performance Review Under Pending Legislation
Information Technology vendors working for the State of California will undergo new performance evaluations for all contracts of $500,000 or more, under pending legislation by Assembymember Rudy Salas (D- San Francisco). AB 971 requires departments awarding contracts information technology services to complete a thorough post-evaluation of the contractor and for public officials who sign reports to confirm its accuracy. The reports will not be subject to the California Public Records Act, according to the latest version of the bill which is in the final stages of the legislative process. As of Monday, the bill has passed both houses and is on its way to the governor's desk.
California Assembles First Blockchain Working Group
California’s blockchain effort to study the technology's potential in government has a new leader. Camille Crittenden is the first chair of the blockchain working group, which was formed as a result of Assembly Bill 2658, passed in 2018, according to a state announcement from. Crittenden will lead a total of 20 members in the working group, which is comprised of a diverse collection of experts in tech, business, law, privacy and consumer organizations including Assembly Ian Calderon (who authored AB 2658), Senator Robert M. Hertzberg, and CDT Director Amy Tong. Blockchain is the technology that records digital transactions and cryptocurrencies [...]
