AB-853
Technology & Innovation

California AI Transparency Act.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires AI platforms with over 1 million monthly users to provide free AI detection tools for digital content.
  • Mandates large online platforms to clearly label AI-generated content with system and provenance information.
  • Requires camera and device manufacturers to embed origin data in photos and videos by default.
  • Imposes $5,000 daily fines per violation for companies that fail to comply with disclosure requirements.

Summary

Assembly Member Wicks' California AI Transparency Act establishes new requirements for AI-generated content labeling and detection across digital platforms and devices. The legislation requires large online platforms with over 2 million monthly users to implement machine-readable labels indicating when content contains AI-generated elements, including the specific AI system used and any available digital signatures.

The bill mandates that manufacturers of cameras, phones, and other capture devices provide users the option to embed provenance data in recorded content, including device details and creation timestamps. These disclosures must be available in both default and third-party recording applications, with clear user controls and indicators when provenance tracking is active. Platforms are prohibited from removing system provenance data or retaining personal identifying information from shared content.

For generative AI hosting platforms, the legislation prohibits offering systems that do not include permanent disclosures in AI-created or modified content. It also bans the distribution of tools designed primarily to remove these required disclosures. Violations incur civil penalties of $5,000 per day, enforceable by the Attorney General, city attorneys, or county counsel, with prevailing plaintiffs eligible for attorney fees and costs.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 853 Wicks Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 15 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Buffy Wicks
Buffy WicksD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Rick Zbur
Rick ZburD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5821979PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires AI platforms with over 1 million monthly users to provide free AI detection tools for digital content.
  • Mandates large online platforms to clearly label AI-generated content with system and provenance information.
  • Requires camera and device manufacturers to embed origin data in photos and videos by default.
  • Imposes $5,000 daily fines per violation for companies that fail to comply with disclosure requirements.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Buffy Wicks
Buffy WicksD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Rick Zbur
Rick ZburD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Wicks' California AI Transparency Act establishes new requirements for AI-generated content labeling and detection across digital platforms and devices. The legislation requires large online platforms with over 2 million monthly users to implement machine-readable labels indicating when content contains AI-generated elements, including the specific AI system used and any available digital signatures.

The bill mandates that manufacturers of cameras, phones, and other capture devices provide users the option to embed provenance data in recorded content, including device details and creation timestamps. These disclosures must be available in both default and third-party recording applications, with clear user controls and indicators when provenance tracking is active. Platforms are prohibited from removing system provenance data or retaining personal identifying information from shared content.

For generative AI hosting platforms, the legislation prohibits offering systems that do not include permanent disclosures in AI-created or modified content. It also bans the distribution of tools designed primarily to remove these required disclosures. Violations incur civil penalties of $5,000 per day, enforceable by the Attorney General, city attorneys, or county counsel, with prevailing plaintiffs eligible for attorney fees and costs.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 853 Wicks Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5821979PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 15 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Roger NielloR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Eloise ReyesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Maria DurazoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member