AI can help businesses charge you more based on how it evaluates your personal history and desires. California lawmakers want to end that price discrimination.

A supermajority of Democrats and emboldened Republicans returned to the Capitol this week — at odds over the cost of living, the Trump presidency, state spending, tech innovations and reparations for descendants of people once enslaved.

As a gasoline reserve bill faced a final vote today, labor advocates warned the bill’s safety measures don’t go far enough.

The vote is not guaranteed. Eight Senate Democrats did not vote for his bill, the oil industry and Republicans have been sharply critical of the proposal, which they say would actually drive up prices at the pump.

Google, Meta, ChatGPT and other Silicon Valley firms have been lobbying heavily against the bill, warning it will hurt new tech growth.

Legislators blocked more than 270 bills, partly due to the budget crunch, in the second round of suspense file hearings this year. The 500 bills that survived must still win final approval by Aug. 31 to reach Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.

The sprawling bill that offers protection to whistleblowers and citizens was approved 32-1 by the state Senate in May faces a vote in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday and must win final approval by Aug. 31 to reach Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk this year. 

May 23 was the deadline to turn in 42,802 valid signatures of voters in the district, which includes parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

The $31 million state program sends counselors out to foster families in crisis at all hours.

The Santa Clara County supervisor says he already has raised $600,000 in federal campaign funds.

On Monday, the Assembly finished its votes on Newsom’s series of infrastructure streamlining bills, although not without reservations. Today, the Senate is expected to take its final vote on the infrastructure package, agreeing to some Assembly amendments before sending it to Gov. Newsom’s desk.

One bill will require social media companies to share advertising revenue with news publishers.

A bill to tax Airbnb and other short-term rentals to fund affordable housing projects could be voted on by the Senate as soon as today. The proposal has revived the debate over Airbnb and its role in the housing crisis.

SB 634 would make the task of housing unhoused and low-income residents on vacant land easier for California cities.

Domestic workers — those who are privately hired to provide services in a home — aren’t covered by the state’s or the nation’s occupational safety laws, which require most employers to meet standards to prevent injury and ensure a safe place to work. 

One in 10 state lawmakers is related by blood or marriage to other legislators past and present. State Sen. Dave Cortese, a Campbell Democrat, is one of these, who has benefited from name recognition: His father, Dominic, served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors before nabbing a seat in the Assembly.