Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI

February 5, 2026 - 04:51

A pivotal public hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2026, as state lawmakers prepare to debate a trio of groundbreaking bills that could redefine the legal landscape for emerging technologies. The Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI will hear testimony on proposals addressing everything from cryptocurrency to the very nature of artificial intelligence.

The agenda features Assembly Bill 892, which seeks to clarify how digital asset staking, a process used in blockchain networks, interacts with existing state securities laws. This bill aims to provide regulatory certainty for a rapidly growing sector of the digital economy.

Simultaneously, legislators will tackle profound questions of law and ethics with Assembly Bill 959. This proposal focuses on establishing a formal legal status for artificial intelligence, a move with significant implications for liability, ownership, and rights.

Rounding out the docket is Assembly Bill 965, which specifically targets advanced artificial intelligence systems capable of simulating humanlike behavior and interaction. The bill is expected to propose guidelines or restrictions for the development and deployment of such persuasive AI technologies.

The hearing represents a significant step in crafting a legislative framework for technologies that are advancing faster than current regulations. Public input will be crucial in shaping these potential laws, which could set important precedents for other states and the nation.