Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, making California the first state to mandate transparency and safety reporting for major AI companies.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, the first state law in the U.S. requiring large AI companies to disclose their safety protocols and report potential risks, setting a new precedent for AI governance.
The bill, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, applies to leading AI developers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind. It requires transparency around safety practices, protects whistleblowers, and establishes a system for reporting critical AI safety incidents to California’s Office of Emergency Services. Companies must also disclose AI-driven incidents involving crimes committed without human oversight, such as cyberattacks or deceptive behavior by models, requirements that go beyond the EU AI Act.
Reaction to the bill has been mixed. Anthropic supported SB 53, but Meta and OpenAI opposed it, lobbying hard against the legislation. OpenAI even published an open letter urging Newsom not to sign. Tech firms have long warned that state-level AI rules risk creating a “patchwork of regulation” that could stifle innovation.
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The move comes as Silicon Valley’s elite fund pro-AI super PACs, pouring millions into backing candidates who favor lighter regulation. Still, California’s leadership could inspire other states. New York lawmakers have already passed a similar bill, now awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision.
“California has proven that we can establish regulations to protect our communities while also ensuring that the growing AI industry continues to thrive,” Newsom said in a statement. “This legislation strikes that balance. AI is the new frontier in innovation, and California stands strong as a national leader.”
SB 53 is Wiener’s second attempt at AI legislation after Newsom vetoed his earlier SB 1047 last year following industry pushback. With SB 53, Wiener engaged directly with AI companies to revise and narrow the bill.
Newsom is also considering SB 243, another AI bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots, requiring operators to implement safety protocols and face accountability for failures.
