2019-2020 Legislative Session

The Commission supported 7 bills that would implement its recommendations during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations. The measures that the Commission supported during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session are in the areas of artificial intelligence, forest management, GIS, occupational licensing, and the Salton Sea. Of those 7 bills, 2 were vetoed and 5 failed to pass.

Artificial Intelligence

AB 594 (Salas) Artificial Intelligence

Summary: This bill requires the Director of Technology to designate a position within the Department of Technology to evaluate the uses of artificial intelligence in state government. It also requires the designated person to advise the Director of Technology on incorporating AI into state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards and enterprise architecture. Additionally, this bill requires the department to adopt guidelines by January 1, 2021 to govern the use and implementation of AI technologies in state government including identifying projects and project components to increase efficiency.
Background: In November 2018, the Commission issued the Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California report, which recommended that the Governor and/or Legislature should require each state agency to devise strategic plans that include the use and implementation of AI technology and applications to improve and enhance operations and services.
Final Action: Vetoed by Governor Newsom.
Support Letter

AB 976 (Chau) – Artificial Intelligence in State Government Services Commission.

Summary: Creates an Artificial Intelligence in State Government Services Commission. The Commission would be charged with proposing a plan for soliciting artificial intelligence and data science related demonstration projects for critical state services and incorporating successful artificial intelligence and data science related demonstration projects into existing state government services.
Background: This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California, which recommended that the Governor and Legislature should create an AI commission.
Final Action: From Senate committee without further action.
Support Letter

SB 348 (Chang) – Department of Technology: artificial intelligence: strategic plans.

Background: The Commission’s 2018 report, Artificial Intelligence: A Roadmap for California recommended that: (1) the Governor should appoint an AI special advisor within the Governor’s cabinet; (2) the Governor and Legislature encourage the designation of a chief AI officer within independent offices to partner on developing a statewide AI strategy; and (3) require each state agency to devise strategic plans that include the use and implementation of AI technology and applications to improve and enhance operations and services.
Summary:  The bill requires the Director of Technology to devise a strategic plan to help state entities with the incorporation of AI into state information technology strategic plans, policies, standards and enterprise architecture to improve state services. SB 348 also encourages the Governor to appoint a special adviser on AI to create a statewide strategic plan to utilize AI to improve state services and encourages certain offices to designate a chief artificial intelligence officer.
Final Action: From Assembly without further action.
Support Letter

Forest Management

AB 616 (Patterson) – California Forest Carbon Plan: reports.

Summary: Requires CalFIRE, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Agency and the EPA, to prepare and submit to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2021, and by January 1 of each year until January 1, 2024, a report on the progress made implementing the Forest Carbon Plan and policies and resources needed to meet the objectives of the Plan.
Background: This bill relates to the Commission’s 2018 report, Fire on the Mountain: Rethinking Forest Management in the Sierra Nevada. The report recommended, “The California Natural Resources Agency, its relevant departments and the California Environmental Protection Agency should regularly report to the Legislature and post online progress on the metrics listed in the Forest Carbon Plan, as well as the steps it is taking to begin implementing the plan.”
Final Action: The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Support Letter

Geographic Information Systems

AB 2209 (Mayes) – California Geographic Information Office

Summary: This bill would establish, until January 1, 2031,  the California Geographic Information Office within the Department of Technology for the purpose of coordinating the state’s GIS projects, promulgating standards for data collection and sharing, and managing shared data resources. Would authorize the Geographic Information Officer, appointed by the Governor, to direct the office and work closely with the Director of Technology. The officer’s duties would include, among others, developing a state GIS strategic plan in consultation with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the Geographic Information Advisory Council, which would be established by this bill. The bill would require the council to advise the officer on issues of policy and implementation.
Background: In its 2018 report, Mapping a Strategy for GIS, the Commission recommended the state designate and empower a State Geographic Information Officer to serve as California’s GIS leader; formalize a GIS Advisory Council comprised of state GIS users, government leaders, and stakeholders to advise the State GIS Officer on issues of policy and implementation; and use GIS to evaluate regional disparities in funding and the delivery of government services.

Final Action: From committee without further action.
Support Letter

Occupational Licensing

AB 476 (Rubio) – Department of Consumer Affairs: task force: foreign-trained professionals.

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Consumer Affairs to create a task force to study and write a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the licensing of foreign-trained professionals with the goal of integrating them into the Add contentstate’s workforce. Authorizes the task force to gather information through hearings and invite testimony from the public and experts—including the Little Hoover Commission. The bill would require the task force to submit the report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2021, as specified.
Background: The Commission’s 2016 report, Jobs for Californians: Strategies to Ease Occupational Licensing Barriers, found that, “foreign-trained workers often have difficulty translating their education and experience into state licensing requirements and often take lower-skilled jobs instead. With worker shortages looming in mid- and high-skilled professions, the state should embrace these workers instead of erecting barriers to keep them out of jobs.”
Final Action: Vetoed by Governor Newsom.
Support Letter

Salton Sea Funding in Climate Bond Proposals

Summary: Three bond proposals aimed at improving California’s near- and long-term climate resiliency included funding for mitigating the detrimental environmental effects presented by the shrinking Salton Sea. The January budget proposed $220 million to support the habitat and air quality improvement projects included in the 2018 Salton Sea Management Plan, while two legislative proposals – AB 352  and SB 45 – proposed $165 and $175 million respectively for Salton Sea habitat and air quality restoration projects. These legislative proposals included additional funding to improve the conditions of the New River, a tributary of the Salton Sea.
Background: In its 2015 report Averting Disaster: Action Now for the Salton Sea and in its 2016 letter report on the same topic, the Commission called for greater action to address the environmental effects of the Salton Sea through the creation of the Salton Sea Task Force and provision of additional resources for Salton Sea policy leaders.
Final Action: Proposals stalled in the Legislature.