From banning cat denunciation procedures to attempts to protect children from harmful artificial intelligence “companion” chatbots, the California Legislature has been busy on the last day of this year’s session, moving bills to the governor.
According to a tally by veteran Sacramento lobbyist Chris Micheli, of the nearly 2,400 bills that introduced the session, only about a third were handed over to Gov. Gavin Newsom for final approval.
Newsom acted on these bills until October 13th.
Just before the legislative deadline, let’s take a look at eight of these bills that have made it across the finish line.
Ice Agent Masking
Congress has issued a pair of bills to bar local and federal law enforcement from hiding their faces with “extreme” masking.
The bill came at the start of the second Trump administration, shortly after an increase in immigration enforcement activities, particularly in the Los Angeles area. They came amid growing concern that many supposed agents in mediocre clothing arrested undocumented immigrants and sowed uncertainty among both witnesses who were unable to know whether an individual was a legitimate law enforcement officer.
One bill requires law enforcement officers not to wear face coverings, with few exceptions. For example, whether they are involved in tactical operations necessary for physical safety, or whether they are actively infiltrating them.
Another bill requires California law enforcement officials to display ununited law enforcement officials visible to identify such as names and badge numbers while fulfilling their duties. There are narrow exceptions to this bill.
“We have to stand up and say no to the secret police who keep the fear and threats of communities across California in the rain,” said Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco. “Law enforcement shouldn’t be easily confused with a guy in a ski mask and a guy who steals a liquor store, but that’s what’s happening with Ice’s extreme masking.”
These bills were not supported by Republicans.
AI chatbot safety
California lawmakers are billed as the first in a national type of effort, greenlit bills requiring AI chatbots to ensure that AI chatbots have safeguards to protect them, and are protected to give family members a legitimate replies to developers deemed to be breached and negligent.
A bill from Senator Steve Padilla of D-San Diego would prohibit these chatbots from exposing children to sexually explicit material, and would require reminders that the services will be generated by AI rather than by real people. Businesses should also implement procedures to address suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm.
“The technology can be a powerful educational and research tool, but the high-tech industry left to its own devices is encouraged to attract the attention of young people and retain it at the expense of real-world relationships,” Padilla said on the Senate floor before the bill passed. “These companies have the ability to lead the world in innovation, but it is our responsibility to ensure that it does not come at the expense of our children’s health.”
The bill had some bipartisan support.
Fighting anti-Semitism in schools
The bill will create a new office for civil rights after undergoing many changes in the legislative process and establish its position as an anti-Semitic prevention coordinator. They are responsible for education and how to deal with anti-Semitism and how to deal with it with educators.
It does not require any particular learning clauses relating to the Israeli or Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it provides that the instructions must be virtually accurate without any opinions, bias or partisanship.
“This bill is to affirm a safe and supportive learning environment that is consistent with our state’s values,” said AssemblyMembers Dawn Addis and Rick Chavez Zbur of D-Morro Bay, D-West Hollywood, co-authors of the bill. “Classrooms must be a welcoming environment that contributes to the academic well-being of children.”
The bill counted a large number of Jewish organizations among its supporters, as well as the City of Beverly Hills, the American Foundation for Hindus and the Los Angeles County Business Federation.
Opponents included the California chapter of the Council on America and Islamic Relations, the Culver City Democrat Club and the Young Democrats of San Bernardino County.
Protection for Mobile Home Owners
Congress has agreed to a bill aimed at supporting mobile home owners in the aftermath of the disaster.
From Senator Brian Jones of R-San Diego, the bill provides mobile home owners with the ability to obtain a full replacement cost insurance policy for their home. According to Jones’ office, California insurers do not offer full-cost coverage, and the bill ensures that California’s Fair Plan provides full coverage.
“Mobile home owners should not be treated like second-rate citizens when it comes to protecting their property,” Jones said. “Houses are homes and no one needs to live in the fear that they can’t rebuild when disaster strikes.”
The bill was supported by insurance committee member Ricardo Lara. He said there is no additional burden on fairplan resources as the program clearly provides “the same basic property insurance as other homeowners.”
Funding for high-speed rail projects
“For everyone who fought to see this project succeed, this long-term funding will provide stability to the project and ensure consistent funding for the next few decades,” said Sen. Dave Cortez, a Silicon Valley Democrat and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Ezra Silk, a spokesman for the US High Speed Rail, a coalition supporting the project, said the funds will allow for the completion of the early segment of Central Valley and invite private investment. Second, according to Silk, it has secured funds to connect the railway to major metropolitan areas.
Lawmakers signed a contract with Newsom before the session ended, extending the state’s cap-and-trade program (an effort to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions) until 2045. Expanding the program was one of the more controversial deals in this year’s legislative session.
Healthy diet for kids
The broad and bipartisan support from Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson of D-San Diego was to request chain restaurants to provide at least one healthy meal for children. Restaurants specify healthy options with symbols on their menus. The bill is stipulated.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring that every child in California has access to healthy diets that support their growth and development,” Weber Pearson said in an analysis of the bill. “As a doctor, I have seen the incredible effects of malnutrition on a child’s health. As a mother, I know how challenging it can be to find healthy options when eating out.”
The bill counted among supporters of the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association, with no objections in the file.
Large social media companies fines
Large social media companies that do not prevent them from actively violating California’s civil rights and hatred crimes laws may be liable if they legislate Governor OKS from Sen. Henry Stern of D-Los Angeles.
These social media companies could face penalties of up to $1 million, as set out by SB 771.
The bill “is trying to make it clear in law that businesses, particularly social media platforms, are subject to the same law when it comes to supporting and infringing hate crimes by ordinary individuals,” Stern said at a committee hearing.
He made it clear that California’s Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Act would apply to large social media platforms, and said it would establish penalties that meant blocking and violating the inciting, aid and aid of hate crimes we know.
No cats are being treated
With bipartisan support, legislators have approved a bill that prohibits most cat denials.
Leading from lawmaker Alex Lee and D-Milpitas, the bill prohibits the practice of firing cats unless veterinarians deem it medically necessary to protect the health of animals. Lee’s office, including West Hollywood, says multiple California cities are already banned from retarding, and the bill expands the statewide ban.
“It’s cruel and inhuman to mutilate healthy cats for the convenience of humans,” Lee said. “Cat Declawing is a permanent, look-injuring operation equivalent to removing a person’s finger with a top knuckle, and this wild barking procedure causes lifelong pain.”
