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CAL.Regulation

California bars using AI to fake public participation before government agencies

By LexCircuit Desk · · AI-drafted, human-reviewed

Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1159 on September 30, 2026. From January 1, 2027, no one may knowingly use AI to falsely represent that a natural person appeared before, submitted information to or engaged with a government agency. Under the Public Records Act, open-meeting laws, the Administrative Procedure Act, CEQA and the Coastal Act, AI systems, autonomous agents and robots are not persons or members of the public.

Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Key points

  • SB 1159 adds Government Code section 8319 and amends public-access statutes including Government Code section 7920.520, effective January 1, 2027.California Legislative Information
  • Section 8319 prohibits knowingly using AI to falsely represent that a natural person appeared before or engaged with a governmental agency.California Legislative Information
  • Terms such as person, interested person and member of the public in seven public-access and environmental laws exclude AI systems, autonomous agents and robots.California Legislative Information
  • The covered laws include the Public Records Act, Bagley-Keene and Brown Acts, the Administrative Procedure Act, CEQA and the Coastal Act.California Legislative Information
  • Governmental agencies may use a disclosure verification tool to determine whether artificial intelligence is present in a submission or engagement.California Legislative Information
  • Newsom signed SB 1159 on September 30, 2026, as part of a package of AI bills.Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Sources2 articles across 2 outlets

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RegulationCal.California SB 1159 AI transparency and governanceAdministrativeEnvironmentalLocal governmentTechnologyFor practitionersFor governance