The Booty Report

Arr, behold! The California legislative session be ruled by AI regulations and the state's dreary coffers!

2024-01-03

Arr, me hearties! Them California lawmakers be back to toil for a legislative session in this election year. But, blow me down! They be faced with troubles o' artificial intelligence and a mighty budget deficit. Avast ye, me mateys, 'tis a jolly challenge ahead!

California lawmakers are returning to work for the start of an election-year legislative session, and they have a lot on their plates. The state's budget is a major concern, as there is an estimated $68 billion deficit that needs to be addressed. This is a larger shortfall than the entire operating budgets of many states. Additionally, lawmakers are looking to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, as California companies are at the forefront of the AI boom. They want to avoid a situation where AI dominates daily life, similar to how social media has become pervasive.

The legislative session will be led by new leaders, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire. They will have the difficult task of navigating budget negotiations, which usually happen behind closed doors and require consensus among the majority Democrats in the Legislature.

Lawmakers are also preparing bills to regulate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools. These bills aim to address concerns about privacy, discrimination, job protections, and misinformation during an election year. One bill seeks to prohibit the use of AI systems that discriminate against people, while another aims to protect actors and artists by limiting studios' ability to replicate their work using AI. State Sen. Scott Wiener plans to establish a safety framework to address risks in public safety and security posed by AI.

In addition to the budget and AI regulations, lawmakers will also be fighting over rules governing their own elections. There is a legal battle over whether Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong can run for both Congress and reelection to his Assembly seat. This has angered Democrats, and Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo plans to introduce legislation to prevent candidates from running for two offices at the same time.

The legislative session runs through the end of August, but lawmakers only have until the end of January to decide which bills introduced last year they will attempt to pass this year. Some of the remaining bills include proposals for gun owner liability insurance, a mental health hotline for colleges, subsidized housing for seniors and adults with disabilities, and a ban on homeless encampments near schools, parks, and libraries.

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