Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
December 15, 2025 – Sacramento, California – In response to President Trump’s executive order last week attacking states’ strong protections for artificial intelligence (AI), state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), chairman of the California Senate Select Committee on Economic Development and Innovation, issued the following statement:
“Trump’s reckless attack on the nation’s ability to enact meaningful AI regulations in the public interest is unacceptable and literally puts lives at risk. He has tried this before, and it was soundly rejected by both parties.”
“We will not allow corporate interests and Washington bureaucrats to take over this burgeoning industry and dictate the terms of innovation at the expense of the public, while stripping states of their right to enact their own protections.
“Our job is to ensure that AI works for people, not profits. I have worked diligently with the technology industry and consumer advocates to enact thoughtful, forward-looking legislation that ensures AI is developed and deployed safely, transparently, and ethically in California. As a result, California’s AI regulation is an international model that the federal government should adopt, not attack.”
Related: California Chamber of Commerce launches statewide ‘Keep California Leading in the AI Race’ campaign – California is home to 32 of the world’s 50 largest AI companies
Senator Becker has previously authored AI legislation in the following areas:
