Artificial Intelligence Transparency and Governance

LegiScan California

Published February 18th, 2026

Detected March 30th, 2026

Summary

California Senate Bill 1159, the Artificial Intelligence Transparency and Governance Act, was introduced on February 18, 2026 with bipartisan sponsorship. The bill amends multiple sections of the California Government Code and Public Resources Code to establish new transparency and governance requirements for AI systems used by government entities. The bill passed the Senate with a 12-0 vote on March 24, 2026, and is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee on April 6, 2026.

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What changed

SB 1159 proposes significant amendments to California law governing artificial intelligence systems used by government agencies. The bill adds four new sections to the Government Code (Sections 11121.5, 11342.575, 11370.1.5, 54951.5) and amends Sections 7920.520, 11405.70, 11500, and 82047 of the Government Code, as well as Section 21066 of the Public Resources Code. These changes establish requirements for AI transparency, disclosure, and governance oversight by state and local government entities.

Technology companies and government contractors providing AI systems to California public entities should monitor this bill closely as it progresses through committee. Entities should review current AI deployments and begin assessing documentation requirements. The April 6, 2026 hearing represents a critical opportunity for public comment before the bill advances to the full Senate.

What to do next

Review AI systems currently deployed or planned for government contracts in California
Prepare for potential disclosure and transparency documentation requirements
Submit public comments by April 6, 2026 hearing date if affected by the bill's provisions

Source document (simplified)

CA SB1159 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session

California Senate Bill 1159

CA State Legislature page for SB1159
- Summary
- Sponsors
- Texts
- Votes
- Research
- Comments
- Track

Status

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Introduced on February 18 2026 - 25% progression
Action: 2026-03-27 - Set for hearing April 6.
Pending: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee
Hearing: Apr 6 @ 3:00 pm in 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Text: Latest bill text (Amended) [HTML]

Summary

An act to amend Sections 7920.520, 11405.70, 11500, and 82047 of, and to add Sections 11121.5, 11342.575, 11370.1.5, and 54951.5 to, the Government Code, and to amend Section 21066 of the Public Resources Code, relating to artificial intelligence.
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Title

Artificial intelligence: transparency and governance.

Roll Calls

2026-03-24 - Senate - Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection] (Y: 12 N: 0 NV: 0 Abs: 1) [PASS]

History

| Date | Chamber | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-27 | Senate | Set for hearing April 6. |
| 2026-03-25 | Senate | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on P., D.T., & C.P. |
| 2026-03-24 | Senate | From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on P., D.T., & C.P. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24). |
| 2026-03-16 | Senate | Set for hearing March 24. |
| 2026-03-04 | Senate | Referred to Coms. on JUD. and P., D.T., & C.P. |
| 2026-02-19 | Senate | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21. |
| 2026-02-18 | Senate | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |

Code Citations

| Chapter | Section | Citation Type | Statute Text |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Government Code | 11121.5 | New Code | See Bill Text |
| Government Code | 11342.575 | New Code | See Bill Text |
| Government Code | 11370.1.5 | New Code | See Bill Text |
| Government Code | 11405.70 | Amended Code | Citation Text |
| Government Code | 11500 | Amended Code | Citation Text |
| Government Code | 54951.5 | New Code | See Bill Text |
| Government Code | 7920.520 | Amended Code | Citation Text |
| Government Code | 82047 | Amended Code | Citation Text |
| Public Resources Code | 21066 | Amended Code | Citation Text |

California State Sources

| Type | Source |
| --- | --- |
| Summary | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1159 |
| Text | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1159#99INT |
| Text | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1159#98AMD |
| Roll Call | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1159 |

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Named provisions

Section 11121.5 - New Government Code Addition Section 11342.575 - New Government Code Addition Section 11370.1.5 - New Government Code Addition Section 54951.5 - New Government Code Addition Section 7920.520 - Government Code Amendment Section 11405.70 - Government Code Amendment Section 11500 - Government Code Amendment Section 82047 - Government Code Amendment Section 21066 - Public Resources Code Amendment