Governor Newsom signed two companion bills on September 9. Senate Bill 813, authored by Senator Jerry McNerney, establishes a first-in-the-nation framework allowing independent verification organizations to assess AI systems and models for compliance with California law. Assembly Bill 1405, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, creates a state registry for AI auditors and sets standards for their independence, transparency and integrity. McNerney said the signing sends a message that California is taking the lead on assessing AI's safety risks. Bauer-Kahan said third-party auditors are essential to ensuring AI is safe for communities and critical infrastructure. Neither the governor's office nor early reporting specified a compliance deadline or effective date for either law. Together, the bills add California to a small number of jurisdictions moving to formalize independent AI assessment rather than relying solely on self-attestation by AI developers. Indian companies building or deploying AI products for California-based enterprise customers will want to track how the auditor registry and verification framework are implemented, since US enterprise buyers increasingly ask vendors for third-party assessments as part of procurement.
Global AI and Regulation 11 Sept 2026
California Enacts First-in-Nation AI Auditor Registry and Verification Framework
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 813 and AB 1405 on September 9, establishing the country's first framework for independent AI verification organizations and a state registry for AI auditors. The laws aim to bring third-party accountability to AI systems as adoption spreads across critical sectors.
Source: Governor of California, September 9, 2026
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