In one paragraph
California's SB 1159 makes clear that AI systems, autonomous agents, robots and other nonhuman entities are not 'persons' or 'members of the public' who can engage with government under the Public Records Act, the open-meeting laws, the Legislative Open Records Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Coastal Act and CEQA. People may still use AI or assistive technology for their own participation at an ordinary volume. Agencies may use AI detection tools, and knowingly using AI to falsely represent that a natural person engaged with an agency is banned. Signed September 30, 2026 (Chapter 863); effective January 1, 2027.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
From Jan. 1, 2027, AI agents have no standing of their own to make California public records requests or comments; people may use AI for their own participation at a normal volume. Knowingly using AI to falsely show a person engaged with an agency is banned.
Key provisions
- Under the California Public Records Act, the Bagley-Keene and Brown open-meeting acts, the Legislative Open Records Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Coastal Act and CEQA, 'person', 'interested person', 'participant', 'member of the public' and similar terms exclude AI systems, autonomous agents, robots and other nonhuman entities, physical or digital
- A natural person may still use AI, agents or robots, including assistive technology, for their own engagement with an agency, if the volume and frequency are reasonably consistent with ordinary participation by a person
- Public agencies (and the Legislature's rules committees) may use a disclosure verification tool meeting the criteria of Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757.2 to determine whether AI is present
- New Gov. Code § 8319: no one may knowingly use AI to falsely represent that a natural person appeared before, submitted information to, or otherwise engaged with a governmental agency
- Legislative findings: these laws protect participation by people and legal entities, not AI programmed to simulate participation at a scale that could overwhelm government processes; other laws' meaning is unaffected
- Signed September 30, 2026 (Chapter 863, Statutes of 2026); effective January 1, 2027
Latest legislative action
Sep 30, 2026. Approved by the Governor; Chapter 863, Statutes of 2026
Sponsors (showing 5 of 9)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Allen | Coauthor |
| Becker | Coauthor |
| Cabaldon | Author |
| Jones | Coauthor |
| Lowenthal | Coauthor |
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