WASHINGTON – BSA Head of US State Government Relations David London issued the following statement after the California State Legislature’s appropriations committees advanced SB 813, AB 1405, AB 1609, and SB 947 out of suspense files: 

BSA supports strong, risk-based AI governance that protects people and gives companies clear, workable obligations.

SB 813 and AB 1405 put the cart before the horse by creating a California-specific AI auditing and standards regime before the infrastructure needed to support it exists. AI standards are still developing through national and international efforts, and California should build on that work rather than create a separate regime that adds fragmentation.

BSA also opposes AB 1609 on AI call centers and SB 947 on AI employment decisions, both of which would impose additional California-specific requirements that risk creating unnecessary complexity for businesses developing and deploying AI responsibly.

AI transparency requirements must be workable. California should focus on proven, risk-based accountability measures and reject SB 813 and AB 1405 in favor of clear, interoperable rules that protect consumers and reflect the distinct roles of AI developers and deployers.