AI, billionaires tax and CEQA reform initiatives enter circulation: California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that proponents of three new proposed ballot measure have been cleared to begin gathering signatures. The trio of initiatives would:

Require risk assessments and risk labels for artificial intelligence (AI) products likely to be used by children. The proponent of the measure, James P. Steyer, must collect signatures of 546,651 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot.

Impose a one-time tax of up to 5 percent on taxpayers and trusts with covered assets valued over $1 billion. The proponent of the measure, Suzanne Jimenez, must collect signatures of 874,641 registered voters (eight percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot.

Amend the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expedite environmental review of specified project categories (including most housing, transportation, water, health, and clean energy projects). The proponent of the measure, Kurt R. Oneto, must collect signatures of 546,651 registered voters (five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot.

Proponents have 180 days (until June 24^th, 2026) to gather the necessary signatures in order to be placed on the November 2026 ballot.

Limón announces new Senate leadership and committee posts: Newly-sworn in Senate pro Tem Monique Limón announced her choices Senate Democratic Leadership Team and committee membership assignments for the remainder of the 2025-2026 session. Key selections included Sen. Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) as Majority Leader, Sen. Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) as the chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) as the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, and Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) to continue chairing the Judiciary Committee. The full list of selections can be found here.

Read more here: Capitol Weekly