California SB 813
The first US attempt to build an independent AI assurance market in statute rather than leaving verification to developer self-attestation. If signed, it turns third-party audit from a voluntary practice into a recognised legal safe harbour.
What it is
Passed by the California legislature on 30 August 2026, SB 813 would create a state AI Standards and Safety Commission and a framework for accredited third-party organisations to verify AI safety practices. It is one of the AI bills sent to the Governor at the close of the 2026 session and awaits signature or veto.
Who is affected
Frontier developers, AI deployers and assurance providers operating in California
Key obligations
- Establishes a state AI Standards and Safety Commission
- Accreditation route for independent verification organisations assessing AI safety risks
- Awaiting the Governor's decision; the signing window closes 30 September 2026
Compliance dates
California — Governor's decision deadline on the 2026 AI bills
Last day for the Governor to sign or veto the AI bills passed at the close of the 2026 session, including SB 813 on independent safety verification. Bills left unsigned at the deadline follow California's default rules rather than lapsing quietly.
Recent signals
California closes its session having sent a slate of AI bills to the Governor
The 2026 session ended on 31 August with sixteen AI bills passed, including SB 813 on independent safety verification. The Governor has until 30 September to sign or veto.
Colorado AI Act takes effect after delayed start
The first comprehensive US state AI law is now operative — as DOJ's AI Litigation Task Force weighs challenges under the December 2025 preemption executive order.
New York RAISE Act frontier-safety duties begin
New York joins California in requiring large frontier developers to publish safety protocols and report incidents.
US state AI law wave: Texas, California and Illinois statutes take effect
TRAIGA, SB 53 (frontier transparency), AB 2013 (training-data disclosure) and Illinois HB 3773 all become operative on the same day — the broadest single expansion of binding US AI law.
Related instruments
- US-STColorado AI ActThe first comprehensive US state AI law: developers and deployers of 'high-risk' AI systems in consequential decisions (employment…
- US-STTexas TRAIGATexas's AI law (effective 1 Jan 2026) takes an intent-based approach: it prohibits developing or deploying AI to unlawfully discri…
- US-STCalifornia SB 53The first US law regulating frontier AI developers specifically: large developers must publish frontier AI frameworks, report cata…
- US-STCalifornia AB 2013Requires developers of generative AI systems made available in California to publish documentation of training datasets — sources,…
- US-STCalifornia SB 942Requires large GenAI providers (over 1M monthly users) to offer free AI-detection tools and embed latent provenance disclosures in…