[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6553686,"mediaKeyId","5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4","parentId",5066108,"title","Committee approves AB 940 to enable California quantum innovation zones","audioSeconds",1011,"startMs",4564000,"endMs",5575000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4&start=4564&end=5575","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4/thumbnail_4564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553686/California/Committee-approves-AB-940-to-enable-California-quantum-innovation-zones","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553686-14fcc7a976d6ea680fe0ff832a383717/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511582&Signature=FDIU-J~UisbyehkiXnq-DTQV~VA945BZSfIdb1iBGuWFuP-J6vYppR1rJZZMfAnqDPQty6qLxZwuA99pcgIepdFTsBrYXokBN5bqd7mep7r3b2SXqgQcQ3D1aSpYHZwhA0N5nZFuMpdLhtojhzJyZS7P~gmQXsNjOauoKhG97HplX4tsQ87bqlgbLgwhx2z9F7zOolURH-0EuLGW8~-qCWwFqWGNFJXylHV7xS5Ntx6JLd4BLKLEL-dQkURtXopfik2B2sww17wUZrJRiNC2waRi6hrre2uxOMgm0fkk4MO1Zn8xJrZbB4rmOXydEsVEX00oPoGiSmg6myR7p2tNBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Senate","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","Assemblymember Wicks (coauthored by Assemblymember Bennett and others) presented AB 940 to create a mechanism for cities and counties to form \"quantum innovation zones\" to coordinate state, local and private resources to retain and grow quantum computing businesses in California.

Wicks told the committee the measure would let two or more local jurisdictions adopt resolutions to establish a zone and prioritize state assistance such as tax incentives, grants, workforce programs and coordination with the University of California and other research institutions. \"Whoever owns Quantum owns the future,\" she said, arguing California risks losing companies and researchers to states investing heavily in quantum technologies.

Assemblymember Stan Ellis, who has private-sector experience in quantum, described potential breakthroughs and applications in health, energy and materials science. Jason Murphy of the University of Californias Office of the President testified in strong support and urged prompt action to avoid losing talent and investment.

Committee members discussed equity and workforce-development concerns. Senator Smallwood Cuevas and others asked how the zones would ensure participation by women and underrepresented communities; authors and UC representatives said early-stage coordination and outreach would aim to build diverse pipelines and the bill allows for more than two zones if jurisdictions adopt them.

Senator Strickland moved the bill; the committee recorded votes in favor and referred AB 940 to the Senate Local Government Committee for further consideration. The clerks summary indicated the motion passed (10 yes votes by the committees reporting) and the item was placed on call for any members who were absent.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill creates a framework for regional cooperation to retain and attract quantum-related firms and federal funding and to build workforce pipelines; members emphasized the need to proactively address equity and inclusion.

Next steps: AB 940 was sent to the Senate Local Government Committee for further work on implementation details, local resolution processes and equity provisions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee","oneSentenceSummary","AB 940 would allow cities and counties to form quantum innovation zones to attract investment, workforce and federal grants; the committee advanced the bill to the Senate Local Government Committee with bipartisan support.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553688,"Committee advances AB 506 to curb deceptive online pet sales, ban nonrefundable deposits",1899,3809000,5708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4&start=3809&end=5708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4/thumbnail_3809000.jpg","/articles/6553688/California/Committee-advances-AB-506-to-curb-deceptive-online-pet-sales-ban-nonrefundable-deposits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553688-07ba139b0ccc32e368a20eecd70719b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511582&Signature=Nytxr50we5SmWIj4kt0pQtiwhyAPqL-~JL0hZmmdbT3~2rrVHNdKkNqM94LXxPSuvKu2f4MVLqOu2H3DTFvOE-YiPQpOhmWCberULq7LyvAdsYYMncB7d7YmxAMKGtkL44oh6q6uIYjzARsgl9JhhWc~AVmv8uIq4~tSvnQpjKT0enY977ltAl1B1JfE3QVaDMhw4WPO-CYisa8yWqtNq8Lqi76K-R2C6mRzqoRbblAgfd~YkPAQSUVE-Tr3k4~ikvuSpYGyucPQ8m2uxqjWZ0zOMlMb5upcYG9HZb-YwqtJwkwPUn5I1UM-HVSuYMJXYLkM-hYHHqubzLAyanLdOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Bennett presented AB 506 to address what she and witnesses described as widespread deceptive online pet sales and predatory broker practices. The committee voted to move the bill to Senate Judiciary.

Bennett said recent reporting shows consumers often pay nonrefundable deposits for pets without receiving seller disclosures such as origin or veterinary records. She said AB 506 would void contracts that fail to disclose origin or vet records and would prohibit nonrefundable deposits in many online pet sales.

Witnesses from the ASPCA and San Diego Humane Society testified in support, describing how online brokers and advertisements can mask inhumane breeding sources and encourage fraudulent transactions. Julianne Tetlow of the San Diego Humane Society and Britney Benesee of the ASPCA urged committee members to back the bill to protect buyers and reduce demand for animals from poor breeding conditions.

Supporters said the bill would provide consumer remedies, including refund rights within 30 days for deceptive contracts. Committee members asked how the law would be enforced for out-of-state sellers; the author and witnesses said the bill creates a legal standard and disclosure requirement that would give California authorities and consumers grounds to act, though enforcement challenges for out-of-state actors remain.

The committee reported the motion to pass AB 506 to Senate Judiciary; the clerks summary recorded the item as sent to Judiciary for further review.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill protects Californians from scams that target buyers seeking pets online and reduces demand for animals originating in inhumane out-of-state breeding facilities. Committee members noted enforcement will be a focus in subsequent hearings.

Next steps: AB 506 was referred to Senate Judiciary for additional policy and enforcement review.","AB 506 would require sellers to disclose an animal's origin and veterinary records when known and void contracts requiring nonrefundable deposits; the committee sent the bill to Senate Judiciary after testimony from animal-welfare and consumer-protection groups.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553692,"Committee backs AB 489 to bar AI systems from posing as licensed health professionals",906,2942000,3848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4&start=2942&end=3848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4/thumbnail_2942000.jpg","/articles/6553692/California/Committee-backs-AB-489-to-bar-AI-systems-from-posing-as-licensed-health-professionals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553692-7a63e19406c7cc510602790a65251ccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511582&Signature=LvqevAR53HzNDxiPqWxQLcBtGsT~IxqFAwezATnGvdquW66O8WmZadE9V-UVKmvIXsYBDKaSExrbOcDEyc1JqS1XBnFaxQEGM6eIcBJ7L6qtn39leTNsTCk~LZewhF1MuH5qFPuC472kGVRWObbuGeYCfqoNrw~11yK7uIPhenx41e2O-0oCKE-0pB4ANvI60iMW4T8CCYC~CH6mMacCy05NsDE6arP4JMk496ezkXU-4P86sAO-7qILgWq6~kuzYSxXbGSMHPqu3N8DoUP7l5HvbBobInNbjODE3MllnBxZGrs~LMDxNvJqWJyjQtpNemJbp1pDw64oTeHFaJ0r8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Bonta introduced AB 489 to prevent artificial-intelligence systems from misrepresenting themselves as licensed health professionals. The Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee voted to move the bill to Senate Judiciary.

Bonta said the rise of generative AI has produced systems that can convincingly mimic clinicians and that the bill applies existing title protections to AI systems so a chatbot or voice agent cannot claim to be a physician, nurse or psychologist. \"This bill will draw a bright line and say an AI system cannot misrepresent an AI agent itself as a health professional, period,\" Bonta said.

Witnesses included Matt Leger of SEIU California and George Soares of the California Medical Association, both cosponsors. Leger said the bill protects the publics trust in health professionals; Soares said AI can augment care but should not replace licensed expertise or claim provider status.

Supporters from a broad set of health groups — including the California Academy of Family Physicians, Kaiser Permanente, the California Association for Nurse Practitioners, and others — gave \"me too\" testimony in favor. No proponents of opposition appeared in committee testimony.

Committee members asked whether the bill would hold developers and deployers liable and whether a licensed clinician using AI in practice would be covered; authors and sponsors said the text targets cases where an AI represents itself as a licensed provider and that liability and scope questions could be addressed in subsequent committee review. The measure was moved to Senate Judiciary for further work.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill protects patients and public trust when emerging AI-based services are presented as licensed health professionals. Opponents were not recorded in committee testimony; members noted liability and scope questions would be addressed in later committee hearings.

Next steps: AB 489 was referred to Senate Judiciary for additional policy and potential liability work.","Lawmakers advanced AB 489, which would prohibit AI systems from representing themselves as licensed health professionals and make deployers and developers liable for misrepresentation; the bill drew broad support from medical societies and unions and was sent to Senate Judiciary.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553697,"Committee advances AB 867 to ban nonmedical cat declawing in California",1571,1398000,2969000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4&start=1398&end=2969","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4/thumbnail_1398000.jpg","/articles/6553697/California/Committee-advances-AB-867-to-ban-nonmedical-cat-declawing-in-California","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553697-e1943ea4f740c1675255d271e6dc2617/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511582&Signature=EhsFOytgpZvYUKPRppmVE7w5vS2fMX6Xlw3YJgIHwBOTdjI0asfkNPcZnPPPQUwNyuiCtCnnA9kUCgYdNlr7~QF9g8TlHIm3Fv86XmRfDXnI4P6YhzjQsPayVXi-3hf~urmFN66lYaOmf4l~7VxliBvCEH4wECaPYj8Kn8aa3RoscfGILVHCcjZYiDhGID9ztcKJQ0wL-u1t0LdRNCqvovi5C-br4~H9oeY4tpy7O5JN8u6NEjIgqFzt-wl~eiy7iHqCAm9jyqrG3CtaielVa7Z29e3eIeUmgM1yydZyjVmBQyL61abcJpCdTWE-E6a4FNQqZIfpVia2FrO8BJtCQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Lee presented AB 867 to the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 23, seeking to prohibit cat declawing unless performed by a licensed veterinarian for a medical purpose. After hearing supporters and opponents, the committee voted to move the bill to Senate Appropriations.

Lee told the committee declawing is a surgical amputation equivalent to removing a final digit and said the bill would ban that permanent, nontherapeutic surgery when done for owner convenience. \"When it is performed for any other reason other than the health of the cat, then I believe it is cruel and inhumane,\" Lee said.

Supporters included veterinarians Dr. Jennifer Conrad and Dr. Barbara Hodges, who described declawing as an amputation that causes pain and long-term effects. The Humane Veterinary Medical Association, Paw Project and several humane-society and animal-protection organizations testified in favor. Gary Cooper of the Paw Project and Juliana Tetlow of the San Diego Humane Society spoke for their groups.

The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the California Veterinary Medical Board testified in opposition. Christina DeCaro of the CVMA said the association opposed the bill on principle because it viewed surgical-practice decisions as best left to the profession rather than the Legislature. Jessica Seiferman of the Veterinary Medical Board said the board opposes prohibiting a specific medical procedure and prefers clinical judgment by veterinarians.

Members questioned how often the procedure occurs in California and whether alternatives (nail caps, trimming) are permitted. Dr. Grant Miller (CVMA) said neither state veterinary school has taught declawing for decades and that the procedure is performed rarely by most practitioners; some witnesses estimated nationwide rates but not a precise California figure. The author agreed to clarify bill language where needed regarding noninvasive alternatives.

Senator Archuleta moved the bill; the committee reported the motion as approved and sent AB 867 to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee reported the tally in committee action as unanimous in favor at the time of the clerks summary (votes reported in committee record). The chair said the item would be returned on call for members who were absent but the motion was reported out for the next step.

Why it matters: The bill would make California consistent with other states that have limited or banned nontherapeutic declawing and would change practice for any veterinarian performing the procedure for convenience. Opponents warned a statutory ban could set a precedent for legislative regulation of other veterinary procedures and urged deference to the profession.

Next steps: AB 867 was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and further consideration.

","Assemblymember Lees bill to prohibit declawing of cats except for medical necessity passed the committee and was referred to Senate Appropriations after extensive testimony from veterinarians, animal-welfare groups and veterinary associations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553702,"Senate committee advances AB 260 to shield medication-abortion providers, prescriptions",781,595000,1376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4&start=595&end=1376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066108-1dbc18073620f016864895604c96f5a4/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6553702/California/Senate-committee-advances-AB-260-to-shield-medication-abortion-providers-prescriptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553702-c7aa4914609b6f5d0374029d93818614/orig.mp4?Expires=1770511582&Signature=nVnnqvFTj37J2jkaFGXQlSWC0cGCWx9-U~O48j4NIYY~nCYYv~A8yieeYzZtBObf-4W~GJo7fqgK7X~ub9jDK6irfECUJAx6Z6mAJT2z6lnJuCAyuA1y6fWyw7ZwH8dMj-wnP8nFZFveHMH-ecl22r1JbSEOSdkG~1hIxuN15mLp7XBQVXbSoDzR6d2~WlRoSzN7J68fvGzb4QpLKYmgmKCyrbFqCLejMqWZiyyds53J4o-J4Ioophqzdqc2jP-ws4nROdFZLQBmtZwIaDkaNh1kT0RpMVcRw~99NReNbtiLMldOCk9iVsAEZOV5m6CuMmvDUVhMXc1ymTiufJb~lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Aguiar Curry introduced AB 260, a measure she described as protecting access to medication abortion in California, at the June 23 meeting of the California State Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. The panel voted to move the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The bills author, Assemblymember Aguiar Curry, told the committee AB 260 would protect health care providers, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals from disciplinary or licensing consequences for legally providing mifepristone and would allow prescription labels to omit patient and prescriber names. \"This bill protects safe and legal reproductive health here in California,\" Aguiar Curry said, arguing the measure is \"necessary to protect access to health care, to protect providers, to protect the right to choose.\"

Adrianna Benedict, general counsel for Hey Jane, a primarily telehealth abortion provider, and Tiffany Brokaw, deputy attorney general representing Attorney General Rob Bonta, testified in support. Benedict said threats to providers have escalated and cited recent federal litigation and enforcement actions as heightening risk. Brokaw told the committee that AB 260 would shield providers from liability, authorize pharmacists to dispense medication abortion without patient name or prescriber name on the label and require health plans to continue covering medication abortion.

Greg Burt of the California Family Council testified in opposition, saying the bills labeling and privacy provisions would reduce transparency and accountability. Burt disputed safety claims about mifepristone and raised concerns about access to records for investigations.

After public testimony, Senator Menjivar moved the committees motion to pass AB 260 to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committees recorded tally (reported by the committee clerk) was 6 yes, 1 no; the motion was reported out of committee for further consideration in appropriations.

Why it matters: Committee supporters said AB 260 responds to legal and enforcement risks they say have grown since the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision and to a recent federal court ruling cited in testimony (Pearl v. HHS) that affected a federal reproductive-health privacy rule. Supporters said the measure would preserve access to medication abortion for Californians and protect providers who lawfully prescribe medication.

Next steps: AB 260 was moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee for fiscal review and further hearings.

","The Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee voted to move AB 260 to the Senate Appropriations Committee after testimony from the bills author, reproductive-health providers and the California Department of Justice; one witness opposed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves AB 940 to enable California quantum innovation zones

Committee advances AB 506 to curb deceptive online pet sales, ban nonrefundable deposits

Committee backs AB 489 to bar AI systems from posing as licensed health professionals

Committee advances AB 867 to ban nonmedical cat declawing in California

Senate committee advances AB 260 to shield medication-abortion providers, prescriptions