Press Release

Victory! Governor Signs SB 53, Demonstrating Government Action to Make AI Safe and Accessible to the Public

09. 29. 2025

Statement from Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California Action, on Gov. Newsom Signing SB 53 into Law

SACRAMENTO –  Gov. Newsom today signed SB 53 (Wiener) into law, concluding a multi-year campaign of advocacy for AI safety in the state led by Senator Wiener, Economic Security California Action, Encode, and Safe AI Project. The groundbreaking new law will democratize access to the computing power used for artificial intelligence and establish critical safety and transparency requirements for its development. 

Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California Action (ESCAA), a co-sponsor of the bill, issued the following statement:

“By signing SB 53 into law, Governor Newsom recognizes that the tremendous innovative power of AI should benefit all of us, not just a handful of tech corporations and their investors. 

In addition to establishing common-sense transparency and safety standards, the creation of a public option for computing power through CalCompute will democratize access to critical AI infrastructure. This will make it possible for California’s brightest minds to build AI tools that solve our most pressing public problems for generations to come, and it arrives not a moment too soon.  

We’re immensely grateful to Senator Wiener for his tireless leadership and to the broad coalition of allies – including cosponsors Secure AI Project and Encode AI –  who worked to get SB 53 over the finish line.”