California SB 53
Where the US actually regulates frontier labs. Its 'transparency without liability' design has become the reference model (New York's RAISE Act followed), and it makes published safety frameworks legally significant documents rather than PR.
What it is
The first US law regulating frontier AI developers specifically: large developers must publish frontier AI frameworks, report catastrophic-risk safety incidents to the state, and receive whistleblower protections — a transparency-focused successor to the vetoed SB 1047.
Who is affected
Where the US actually regulates frontier labs. Its 'transparency without liability' design has become the reference model (New York's RAISE Act followed), and it makes published safety frameworks legally significant documents rather than PR.
Key obligations
- Large frontier developers (>$500M revenue): publish and follow a frontier AI framework
- Report critical safety incidents to California OES
- Whistleblower protections for AI safety employees; civil penalties up to $1M per violation
Recent signals
Connecticut's AI and online safety law takes effect
Public Act 26-15 and companion privacy amendments took effect, covering AI chatbot disclosures, facial recognition and surveillance pricing.
California enacts SB 574 on lawyers' and arbitrators' use of generative AI
The first state statute on attorney AI use. It bars delegating the practice of law to generative AI and requires lawyers to verify citations and disclose AI use in court filings. Arbitrators may not delegate decisions to AI. It takes effect 1 January 2027.
New York sets frontier developer registration for November
Governor Hochul announced that frontier AI developers must register with the state from November 2026 under the RAISE Act, with full duties from January 2027.
California signs SB 813 and AB 1405 on independent AI verification
Governor Newsom signed the first US laws creating accredited AI verification organisations and standards for AI auditors, calling on the federal government to follow.
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