Which Tech Bills Were OK'd, and Which Were Vetoed?

Gov. Jerry Brown closed out his bill-signing frenzy over the weekend with the following approvals and rejections of tech-related legislation that Techwire has been tracking. Here’s an update on what he signed into law (or allowed to become law), and what he rejected.

Approved:

• AB 1906: Security of Internet-connected devices
• AB 2658: Blockchain technology advisory group
• AB 2707: Voter information website
• AB 2188: Campaign disclosure for e-media ads
• SB 822: Net neutrality

Vetoed:

• SB 1424: Social media advisory group:

“This bill directs the Attorney General to establish an advisory group to study the problem of the spread of false information through Internet-based social media platforms. As evidenced by the numerous studies by academic and policy groups on the spread of false information, the creation of a statutory advisory group to examine this issue is not necessary.”  

• AB 2819: Study of diversity in high-tech employment:

“This bill requests the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, to conduct a ten-year study on the diversity of the board of directors and employees of United States high technology companies. This year’s budget provides the Center $1.8 million in funding. I understand the Center will use some of that appropriation to study diversity in the high technology industry. Before committing to a ten-year study, which will require additional UC funding in the future, let’s see the initial results of the Center’s research and make informed decisions from those findings.”