News California SB 813 AI Safety Commission 2026
California SB 813 would establish the California AI Standards and Safety Commission within the state Government Operations Agency to oversee AI safety regulation, including designating independent verification organizations and coordinating AI risk assessment across state agencies.[1][2]
Bill Provisions
The bill adds Chapter 14, commencing with Section 8898, to Division 1 of Title 2 of the California Government Code. Key provisions include:[3]
- Commission establishment: Creates the California AI Standards and Safety Commission within the Government Operations Agency
- Liaison relationships: Requires the Commission to maintain formal liaison relationships with state agencies deploying or procuring AI
- Technical expertise: The Commission would provide AI technical expertise and risk assessments
- Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs): Authorizes the Commission to designate one or more IVOs, requiring them to implement AI risk mitigation plans covering cybersecurity, chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear threats, malign persuasion, and model autonomy/exfiltration
- Reporting: IVOs must submit annual reports to the Legislature and Commission on evaluation resources, mitigation adequacy, and risks
- Fee authority: The Commission may establish fees for applicants and IVOs to offset costs
- Multistakeholder Regulatory Organizations (MROs): The Attorney General would designate MROs for AI model and application certification, decertification, and reporting[3][2]
Legislative History
- February 21, 2025: Bill introduced by Senator McNerney[4]
- May 12, 2025: Placed on Senate Appropriations suspense file
- January 5, 2026: Author's amendments read; re-referred to Senate Appropriations Committee[1]
- January 22, 2026: Senate Appropriations approved (5-2, "Do pass")[4]
- January 27, 2026: Passed the Senate 31-7; ordered to the Assembly[1][4]
- As of April 13, 2026: Held at Desk in the Assembly, pending referral[1]
Current Status
SB 813 has passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly, where it awaits committee referral. The Transparency Coalition's April 10, 2026 update noted the bill was "revived and re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee" after earlier passage, though the bill had actually already cleared Appropriations and the full Senate; it is now awaiting Assembly action.[1]
Significance
If enacted, SB 813 would create one of the most comprehensive state-level AI regulatory bodies in the United States, with authority over AI safety verification, risk assessment, and coordination with other state agencies. The bill's IVO framework mirrors concepts from the California SB 1047 debate but focuses on a commission-based oversight model rather than direct developer liability.