AB-2656 • 2026

Public employees: notice: artificial intelligence performing service within scope of work.

Labor Technology

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Petrie-Norris
Last action: 2026-04-22
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about the bill's impact beyond requiring notice, nor does it specify penalties or consequences for non-compliance.

Public Employees: Notice for AI Use

This law requires certain public employers to notify employee organizations before using artificial intelligence (AI) in tasks within their job scope.

What This Bill Does

Requires state and local public employers to provide written notice to recognized employee organizations at least 45 days before developing, purchasing, implementing, or utilizing AI for services within the job classification of represented workers.

Who It Names or Affects

State and local public employers who plan to use AI in job tasks.
Recognized employee organizations representing workers whose jobs may be affected by AI.

Terms To Know

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI): A type of artificial intelligence that can create new content like text, images, or code based on input it receives.
Recognized Employee Organization: An official group representing workers in a specific job classification within public employment.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens if the notice is not given.
The bill does not define how AI use will change employee tasks or responsibilities.
It does not address private sector employers or non-public employees.

Bill History

2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. (Ayes 14. Noes 1.) (April 16). Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2026-04-14 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.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on P. & C.P. and P. E. & R. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2026-04-03 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on P. E. & R. and P. & C.P.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2656, as amended, Petrie-Norris.
Public employees: notice: artificial intelligence performing service within scope of work.
Executive Order No. N-12-23 requires specified state agencies, in collaboration with other state agencies and their workforce, to draft a report to the Governor examining the most significant, potentially beneficial use cases for deployment of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools by the state. The executive order requires the report to explain the potential risks to individuals, communities, and government and state government workers, and requires the report to be regularly assessed and updated in consultation with, among others, the state government workforce or organizations that represent state government employees, as specified. Chapter 928 of the Statutes of 2024, the Generative Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, requires specified state agencies to update the report, as needed, to respond to significant developments and to consult with specified parties,
including organizations that represent state exclusive employee representatives. The act also requires state agencies to consider procurement and enterprise use opportunities for GenAI to improve efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, and equity of government operations, as specified.
This bill would require certain state and local public employers to provide written notice to a recognized employee organization at least 45 days before taking an action to develop, purchase, implement, or utilize GenAI to perform a service that is within the scope of work of the job classification represented by the recognized employee organization.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF