Executive Order N-5-26 - Trusted AI Procurement
California — Executive Order N-5-26 - Trusted AI Procurement
California · Executive Order N-5-26 - Trusted AI Procurement
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- March 30, 2026
- Applies to
- California state agencies and departments, and vendors seeking to contract with or sell AI to the State
This newer California executive order directs DGS and CDT to develop trust-and-safety certifications for state AI contracting (covering CSAM/NCII, harmful bias, and civil-rights violations), reforms to bar contracting with entities that unlawfully undermine privacy or civil liberties, and CDT guidance on watermarking AI-generated media.
Who is protected: Residents interacting with state government AI systems; public-sector data subjects.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Citation | Executive Order N-5-26 - Trusted AI Procurement |
| Topics | government use of AI · automated decision-making · biometric data · consumer data privacy · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Agency page | Executive Order N-5-26 (Governor Gavin Newsom, State of California) |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1168 — data center grid cost allocation · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 1119 Adam's Law, companion chatbots (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 867 AI chatbot toy moratorium (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
Related government use of AI rules elsewhere
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- Inver Grove Heights MN data center moratorium amended under lawsuit (2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- San Marcos citywide data center ban (Land Use Matrix amendment) · In effect
- Washington County (MD) 12-month data center moratorium · In effect
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