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Laws · California

California Transparency in Frontier AI Act (SB 53)

Applies to developers of frontier models (trained with more than 10^26 operations). Large frontier developers (over $500M revenue) must publish a frontier AI framework on catastrophic risk and transparency reports. All frontier developers must report critical safety incidents to Cal OES within 15 days. Protects whistleblowers. AG may seek penalties up to $1M per violation.

At a glance

In forceNext: Office of Emergency Services publishes its first annual anonymized report on critical safety incidents, Jan 1, 2027 (in 89 days).
Jurisdiction
California
Type
Law
Official title
SB 53 (Wiener), Artificial intelligence models: large developers; Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22757.10 et seq.), Chapter 138, Statutes of 2025

What this means for you

If you build AI

  • If you train models above 10^26 operations, report critical safety incidents to Cal OES within 15 days (24 hours if there is imminent risk of death or injury).
  • Above $500M revenue, publish and follow a frontier AI framework and send Cal OES summaries of internal-use catastrophic-risk assessments.
  • Do not block or retaliate against employees who report catastrophic-risk concerns.

If you deploy AI

  • No direct duties for businesses that only use frontier models, but your vendors' published frameworks and reports can inform vendor reviews.

If you use AI

  • You can report a critical safety incident through the Cal OES TFAIA portal.
  • Large frontier developers' safety frameworks and transparency reports are public on their websites.

Key dates

  1. Jan 1, 2027in 89 daysOffice of Emergency Services publishes its first annual anonymized report on critical safety incidentsSource
  2. Jan 1, 2027in 89 daysAttorney General's first annual anonymized report on whistleblower reports from covered employeesSource
  3. Jan 1, 2027in 89 daysDepartment of Technology's first annual review of whether to update the law's definitionsSource

Status history

  1. Jan 1, 2026In forceLegislative Analyst's Office description; the act sets no separate operative date. No court order blocking it found.Source
  2. Sep 29, 2025PassedSigned by the GovernorSource

In the Drops

No Drop has covered this law yet.