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Bill would create AI team inside California Department of Justice to build enforcement expertise
Summary
Sen. McNerney’s SB 69 would require the California Department of Justice to create a small, AI-focused legal team to advise on civil rights, public-safety and consumer issues; the Assembly subcommittee gave the bill a due-pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, 14-0.
Senator Michael McNerney introduced SB 69 on the need to build in-house artificial-intelligence expertise at the California Department of Justice.
McNerney said the bill “creates an AI focused team at the Department of Justice effectively to deal with AI on civil rights, public safety, and the law” and argued the office currently lacks the technical legal expertise to enforce consumer-protection and civil-rights laws against AI systems.
The bill would require the attorney general’s office to recruit and train specialized staff, work with outside experts and report to the Legislature on AI risks and legal gaps. McNerney and a witness for the bill described the proposed team as modest in size—a first step that could be achieved with “4 to 6 lawyers” in early years.
Rob Ellavelle, co-founder and CEO of the Transparency Coalition, testified in support and said he had spoken with deputy attorneys general in multiple states who told him AG offices “need help” and lack in-house tech-policy specialists. Two other witnesses who signed on as “me too” supporters were Tracy Rosenberg (Oakland) and Mariko Yoshihara of Tech Equity Action.
Committee members praised the structural approach but noted the attorney general’s office had not endorsed the bill; McNerney said the AG’s office was “aware” and described its position as neutral. Acting Chair Lowenthal and other members said they wanted the attorney general’s office engaged because it would implement the policy if enacted.
The committee adopted a motion to recommend SB 69 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee; the subcommittee recorded a 14-0 vote in favor while operating as a subcommittee. The motion was moved and seconded on the record; committee staff indicated the bill will also go to Appropriations as a subsequent referral.
Supporters characterized the measure as a targeted, initial step to give California enforcement capacity over AI, not as a large new bureaucracy. Opponents were not recorded for this hearing.
SB 69 now advances to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
