AB-1651 • 2026

State Bar of California: artificial intelligence.

Education Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Dixon
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify that the law becomes operative on January 1, 2028; however, this information is present in the candidate explanation. The exact date of operation might be found elsewhere in the official text.

State Bar of California: Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

This law requires the State Bar of California to disclose if artificial intelligence was used in creating or administering bar exams and study materials.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Bar to put information on its website about using AI-generated content when developing or administering bar examinations.
Needs the State Bar to add a note on the cover page of exam study guides if AI-generated content was used in them.
Applies these rules regardless of whether the AI-generated content is revised or reviewed by a person before use.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Bar of California
People taking bar exams and using study materials

Terms To Know

Artificial Intelligence (AI): A machine-based system that can generate outputs, which can influence physical or virtual environments.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the consequences if the State Bar fails to follow these rules.
It is unclear how compliance with this law will be enforced or monitored.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 10). Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-02-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on JUD. and P. & C.P.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 28.
2026-01-28 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1651, as amended, Dixon.
State Bar of California: artificial intelligence.
Existing law, the State Bar Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of attorneys by the State Bar of California (State Bar), a public corporation governed by a board of trustees. Existing law authorizes the State Bar to establish an examining committee, also known as the Committee of Bar Examiners, with powers that include examining applicants for admission to practice law. Existing law requires an applicant for admission and licensure to practice law to meet specified requirements, including passing a general bar examination given by the examining committee, and authorizes certain experienced attorneys to take an attorneys’ examination instead. Existing law requires specified applicants to take a first-year law students’ examination administered by the examining committee.
Existing law defines “artificial intelligence” as, among other
things, a machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can generate outputs, which can influence physical or virtual environments.
This bill would require the State Bar to
disclose
disclose, on its internet website,
the use of artificial intelligence-generated content, as defined, in developing or administering the State Bar examinations described above. The bill would require the State Bar to
disclose
disclose, on the cover page of study materials,
the use of artificial intelligence-generated content in examination study material it, among other things, publishes or
endorses. The bill would apply these disclosure requirements regardless of whether the artificial intelligence-generated content is revised or reviewed by a natural person. The bill would become operative on January 1, 2028.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF