In one paragraph
California's AB 1337 (Ward) is mainly a government privacy bill. As amended in the Senate June 1, 2026, it would recast the Information Practices Act of 1977, beginning January 1, 2028, to cover local agencies as well as state agencies and to expand the definition of personal information. The AI-related part is narrow: personal information could exist in formats that include artificial intelligence systems capable of outputting it. Passed the Assembly 64-0 June 2, 2025; final Senate hearing canceled June 25, 2026; dead.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. Had it passed, it would have bound state and local government agencies, not private businesses.
Key provisions
- Beginning January 1, 2028, the Act would apply to local agencies, removing the current exemption for them (Civ. Code 1798.3)
- Personal information would expressly include biometric information, genetic data, precise geolocation data, neural data, and vehicle registration and license plate information
- Personal information could exist in abstract digital formats, including compressed or encrypted files, metadata, or artificial intelligence systems that are capable of outputting personal information
- For recurring contact, an initial notice plus a periodic notice at least once every three years would satisfy the form-notice requirement (now not more than one-year intervals); negligent as well as intentional violations by an officer or employee would be cause for discipline
- Would remove the requirement that wrongful disclosure of medical, psychiatric, or psychological information cause economic loss or personal injury to be a misdemeanor (Sec. 1798.57)
- Status: passed Assembly 64-0 (June 2, 2025); failed passage in a Senate committee July 15, 2025 with reconsideration granted; amended June 1, 2026; final hearing canceled at author's request June 25, 2026
Latest legislative action
Jun 25, 2026. In committee: Set, final hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Sponsors (showing 5 of 17)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Alejo | Author |
| Allen | Author |
| Cohn | Author |
| Cooley | Author |
| Daucher | Author |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 5)
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] Jul 15, 2025
6 yea2 nay5 other
[First] hearing set for [07-16-2025]: Failed passage in Committee. Reconsideration granted Jul 15, 2025
13 yea0 nayPassed
AB 1337 Ward Assembly Third Reading Jun 3, 2025
64 yea0 nay15 otherPassed
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error