ICYMI: Assembly Takes Action on AI Oversight at Special Committee Hearing

SACRAMENTO - This week, Speaker Robert Rivas joined the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee for a special Outcomes Review oversight hearing on California's frontier artificial intelligence transparency law.

Led by committee chair Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, members at the hearing examined implementation of Senate Bill 53, passed in 2025, and questioned industry representatives and experts.

The hearing underscores the Assembly's ongoing commitment to accountability and public safety as AI evolves. During discussion, Speaker Rivas emphasized the Legislature's responsibility to strengthen protections as the technology advances.

"California is the global leader in AI, and with that leadership comes an enormous responsibility. There's no question that AI has the potential to transform our economy, to improve our lives and to create opportunities we could scarcely imagine just a few years ago. But let's be equally clear: Innovation can never come at the expense of public safety. We must always protect our children, our workers, our families - every person who calls California home," Speaker Robert Rivas said. "That's why the oversight work by this Assembly is incredibly important, and I thank Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan as chair for her leadership."

"I want to thank Speaker Rivas for his partnership in ensuring California continues to lead on keeping our communities safe from AI," Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said. "California is home to 33 of the world's 50 largest AI companies, and we have an opportunity to ensure this technology is developed safely and responsibly. As the AI landscape changes, we need to attempt to keep pace: The safety of our communities demands it."

Demanding Oversight From AI Developers

California has led the nation in AI policy - protecting kids online, limiting artificial intelligence in the workplace and ensuring communities don't pay the price for data center expansion. In 2025, the Legislature took another important step with SB 53, establishing a transparency framework for developers of frontier AI models.

Through the Assembly's Outcomes Review initiative, lawmakers explored how that law is working in practice, whether it is delivering on its intended goals and where additional protections are needed as AI evolves.

The hearing brought together representatives from AI platforms, independent evaluators, safety advocates, academic researchers and other experts to examine the implementation of SB 53 in light of recent cybersecurity incidents and identify opportunities to strengthen California's safeguards.

Speaker Rivas and Assembly Democrats recognize the importance of continued collaboration among policymakers, researchers and industry leaders. By bringing these perspectives to the table, the Assembly can identify gaps, develop practical solutions and ensure its approach to AI safety keeps pace with emerging risks.

New Protections Across AI, Social Media and Data Centers

This hearing builds on a broader effort by Assembly Democrats to ensure new advancements serve Californians - not Big Tech. From protecting children on social media to safeguarding workers and holding the rapidly expanding data center industry accountable, the Assembly is leading the nation in online safeguards.

In 2026, Assembly Democrats delivered first-ever protections for children and teens online, including banning addictive features on social media platforms for users under 16, stronger online privacy and age-safety protections, and a new state registry for AI auditors.

Lawmakers also advanced measures addressing AI's impact on workers and patients, includinglimits on employers' use of invasive AI-powered workplace surveillance, and legislation to protect patients' privacy and ensure appropriate human oversight when AI is used in health care.

As AI drives growing demand for data centers, Assembly Democrats have also passed protections to ensure the costs of that expansion do not fall on California families and communities. New laws protect ratepayers from electricity costs driven by large energy users, strengthen oversight of data center water use, and help ensure communities have the resources and infrastructure needed to manage new development.

Together, these efforts reflect the Assembly's commitment to embracing innovation while setting clear expectations for safety, transparency and accountability. The Assembly will continue examining how California's current AI safeguards are working and what additional steps are needed to protect public safety and promote oversight on these platforms.