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Here Are 7 Bills the State's Tech Caucus Is Eyeing

Techwire spoke with members of the Tech Caucus as the Legislature's fiscal year draws to a close. These are the bills that state Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat who represents Silicon Beach and many of the surrounding Southern California communities, told Techwire the caucus is focusing on.

Techwire spoke with members of the Tech Caucus as the Legislature's fiscal year draws to a close. These are the bills that state Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat who represents Silicon Beach and many of the surrounding Southern California communities, told Techwire the caucus is focusing on.
The bills' synopses were provided by Allen.

2017 Tech Caucus Priority Legislation

SB 225 (Sen. Stern), Human Trafficking Hotline Notice/Text: would require the California Department of Justice to revise its model human trafficking notice to include the option of texting, in addition to calling the state and national hotlines for assistance. Specifically, the bill requires the National Human Trafficking Hotline text number, 233733 (Be Free), to be included in the notice and makes other technical changes. SB 225 also requires the department to make the updated model notice available for download on the department’s website.

SB 145 (Sen. Hill), Facilitating Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles: will eliminate the unnecessary requirement that the DMV notify the Legislature every time there is an application for operation of an autonomous vehicle without the presence of a driver. It would also eliminate the 180-day waiting period before being approved.

SB 135 (Sen. Dodd), Media Literacy Education: requires the State Board of Education to include media literacy in the next revision of instructional materials or curriculum frameworks in social sciences for grades one to 12. The bill requires the state Department of Education to make available on its website a list of resources and materials on media literacy and to ensure that media literacy training opportunities are made available for use in professional development programs for teachers.

AB 364 (Assemblymember Chau), Cybersecurity Industry Study: would require the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to commission an economic impact study to better understand the current state of the cybersecurity industry in California. This study would be completed by July 2018, and provide baseline metrics that policymakers could use to understand this new, fast-growing industry and help promote its expansion through economic and workforce development.

AB 1255 (Assemblymember Dababneh), Digital Driver’s License Pilot Program: would authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a pilot program for the development of a California digital driver’s license mobile application that can be accessed on smartphones. This legislation will not replace physical driver’s licenses, but will provide additional tools for Californians.

AB 1517 (Assemblymember Muratsuchi), Small Business Crowdfunding: would allow startups and emerging small businesses to find investors who can provide capital to help them grow and create jobs, while providing greater protections to California investors participating in crowdfunding. The bill would add to the California Corporate Securities Laws specific conditions under which the Department of Business Oversight will review and issue a permit for crowdfunding offering in California.

AB 639 (Assemblymember Obernolte), Electronic Signatures for DGS Contracts: would require the Department of General Services to develop procedures that would authorize electronic signatures and electronically submitted documents for contracts that are covered by the State Contracting Manual.

 

Kayla Nick-Kearney was a staff writer for Techwire from March 2017 through January 2019.