CA SB1159

Excludes artificial intelligence systems, autonomous agents, robots, and other nonhuman entities from being considered a "person," "interested person," "participant," or "member of the public" under six major California transparency and governance laws

Applies to the California Public Records Act, Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Political Reform Act of 1974, and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

Defines "artificial intelligence" as an engineered or machine-based system with varying autonomy levels that can generate outputs influencing physical or virtual environments based on inputs received

Addresses concerns that AI systems could overwhelm government agencies by submitting mass automated public records requests, generating bulk public comments on regulations, or flooding agencies with simulated human participation

Introduced by Senator Cabaldon on February 18, 2026, requiring only majority vote with no appropriation or fiscal committee review needed