Press Releases

California Policymakers Drill Down on AI Safety in the Absence of Federal Leadership

SACRAMENTO – Today, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government, chaired by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and Standing Committee on Governmental Organization, chaired by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) held informational hearing to discuss ethical and safety concerns regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence.



Senator Padilla Introduces Legislation to Expand Farmworker Sick Leave to Include Climate-Fueled Hazardous Weather Conditions

SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1105, a measure to allow California farmworkers to use sick time when weather conditions prove too hazardous to work.



Senator Padilla Introduces Legislation to Create Living Wage Study and Certify Businesses as Living Wage Employers

SACRAMENTO – Last week, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1049, a bill to create a program to certify and highlight businesses paying workers a living wage, one that allows full-time employees to afford a decent standard of living in the region they work. The bill also requires the Department of Industrial Relations to develop a calculation of what a living wage would be in every county of the state.



Senator Padilla Introduces Legislation Setting California’s First-Ever Energy Transmission Goals and Increasing Efficiency of Aging Grid

SACRAMENTO – Last week, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 1006, a bill to establish milestone goals for transmission infrastructure development for the first time in California history, aligning the state’s grid with its energy ambitions.



Senator Padilla Introduces Bill Reimagining California’s Teacher Credentialing Process and Reducing Critical Teacher Shortage

Today, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 995, a bill aimed at addressing California’s severe teacher shortage and improving the education outcomes of California students.



Critical Financial Protections for Youth Content Creators Passes Senate Floor

Today, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 764, the Child Content Creator Rights Act. The bill, authored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), would ensure content creators under 18 earn fair financial benefits from the use of their image.



Senator Padilla Introduces Measure Creating Dust Storm Forecasting and Warning System

Today, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bill 967, a bill to create a pilot project in Imperial County to develop a 3 day dust forecast and dust storm early warning system to improve the quality of life in the region.



Senator Padilla Introduces Artificial Intelligence Package – Protecting Californians While Fostering Innovation and Democratizing AI Resources

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) introduced Senate Bills 892 and 893, measures designed to leverage California’s economic power to both develop a public artificial intelligence (AI) resource and the creation of a safe and ethical framework for AI service providers contracting with the state, one of the nation’s largest purchasers of technology services.