NM HB 89 (Gonzales) Computer Science Teacher Licensure
Expands CS teacher endorsement from secondary-only to K-12, creates flexible pathways for educators, and appropriates $250,000 for quantum computing professional development. KCA ContextExpanding CS teacher pipelines at all grade levels is foundational to closing opportunity gaps, particularly in rural and tribal communities across New Mexico.
CA SB 1351 (Arreguin) California Private Postsecondary Education Act: Exemptions
This bill has direct implications for student affordability in communities that KCA supports. When regulatory requirements lead to increased cost for students, this can have a detrimental impact on students from low-income families and can influence enrollment decisions and thus future employment opportunities. KCA ContextBy supporting schools when closure is imminent, the bill helps preserve […]
CA SB 1142 (Becker) Digital Dignity Act
Establishes civil and criminal liability for unauthorized use of AI-generated digital replicas and requires platforms to provide takedown mechanisms. KCA ContextNonconsensual deepfakes and AI-generated impersonation cause real harm, particularly to women, public figures from marginalized communities, and people without the resources to pursue legal action independently. This bill creates enforceable protections.
CA SB 923 (Becker) Consumer Privacy Deletion Rights Expansion
Expands CCPA’s right to delete to cover all personal information a business holds about a consumer, not just data collected directly from them, and requires the availability of a web-based form for users to submit data deletion requests more easily. KCA ContextBusinesses routinely augment consumer records with data purchased from brokers. If consumers can only […]
CA SB 886 (Padilla) California Technology Innovation and Ratepayer Protection Act
Requires the CPUC to establish a tariff for large load customers (75+ MW) that prevents cost shifts to residential and small business ratepayers. KCA ContextData centers and AI facilities seeking massive grid connections should not be subsidized by regular ratepayers. Without this bill the communities least able to absorb rate increases are the ones who […]
CA SB 867 (Padilla) Companion Chatbot Toys Ban
Prohibits the manufacture and sale of toys that include companion chatbots in California, with a sunset clause repealing the prohibition in 2031. KCA ContextChildren interacting with companion chatbot toys face the same documented harms as those using chatbot platforms, but physical toys create an additional layer of trust and attachment. This bill takes a precautionary […]
CA Budget (Berman) CS Supplementary Authorization Incentive Grant
Amends trailer bill language for the $15M CS grant program to remove barriers preventing rural and low-income districts from accessing unspent funds, including adding a match exemption for priority schools and allowing administrative costs as in-kind match. KCA Context$15M appropriated in 2021 remains largely unspent because the grant structure creates barriers for the districts that […]
CA AB 2653 (Lee) Sweatfree AI Code of Conduct (State Procurement)
Extends California’s existing sweatfree procurement standards to cover AI products that rely on data enrichment labor, ensuring the state does not contract with companies that exploit data workers. Requires certification, living wage mandates, and independent monitoring for data enrichment services. KCA ContextAI products depend on data labeling, content moderation, and annotation work that is frequently […]
CA AB 2564 (Ward) Surveillance Pricing Protection Act
Bans retailers from setting individualized prices based on personal data collected through electronic surveillance technology. KCA ContextSurveillance pricing extracts the maximum amount of money that a person is able to pay using data they never consented to share for that purpose. Lower-income consumers and communities of color are most vulnerable to these practices.
CA AB 2212 (Bauer-Kahan) HEAR Survivors Act
Updates the Equity in Higher Education Act to address AI-generated deepfakes, technology-facilitated sexual harassment, cyberstalking, and doxing on college campuses. KCA ContextAI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes are a growing threat with no comprehensive campus policy framework. Students from marginalized communities face compounded harm when institutions lack the tools and training to respond.