The California Pro-Worker AI Workforce Act (CA-AI-Workforce)

California state companion to AI Workforce. Structures incentives as public-option R&D matching grants and labor-protective training credits. Builds on Cal. Corp. Code, Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code credits, GO-Biz / CalCompetes, and the California Consumer Financial Protection Law sandbox.

THE CALIFORNIA PRO-WORKER AI WORKFORCE ACT (CA-AI-WORKFORCE)

Vehicle: State passage. California Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to Assembly / Senate Business and Professions / Revenue and Taxation / Labor, Public Employment and Retirement.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “California Pro-Worker AI Workforce Act (CA-AI-Workforce).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that California business entities are governed by Cal. Corp. Code; that Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code Div. 2 provides tax credits including the California Competes Tax Credit; that the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) operates under Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 12096 et seq.; that the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation oversees the California Consumer Financial Protection Law under Cal. Fin. Code Div. 24; and that California Labor Code protections apply to all training and employment relationships. This Act extends these frameworks.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH CALIFORNIA LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

1. (a) “Qualified CA AI Workforce Training” means training toward a CARMC or Federal FRAC in AI fields.
2. (b) “California Innovation Sandbox” means a regulatory sandbox under Title III.
3. (c) “Qualified small business” has the meaning given in Cal. Corp. Code.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing California Law

1. (a) Consistent with:

• Cal. Corp. Code (business entities).
• Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code Div. 2 (taxation).
• Cal. Gov. Code Sec. 12096 et seq. (GO-Biz).
• Cal. Fin. Code Div. 24 (CCFPL).

TITLE II — CALIFORNIA AI WORKFORCE TRAINING CREDIT (Worker-Protective Rewire)

Sec. 201. Training Credit and R&D Matching Grant

1. (a) A new credit is added to Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code Div. 2 for qualified AI workforce training expenditures, modeled on the California Competes framework.
2. (b) Credit availability is conditioned on the employer’s compliance with Cal. Lab. Code Sec. 2750.3 (PAGA/ABC), payment of at least 120% of the applicable minimum wage, and non-interference with protected concerted activity under Cal. Lab. Code Sec. 923.
3. (c) A parallel R&D matching grant program is authorized at GO-Biz, with priority to employers that have a labor-management partnership with a certified collective bargaining representative.
4. (d) Coordinated with federal IRC Sec. 45BB; aggregate cap.
5. (e) Franchise Tax Board and GO-Biz jointly administer.

TITLE III — CALIFORNIA INNOVATION SANDBOX

Sec. 301. Establishment of the California Innovation Sandbox

1. (a) A California Innovation Sandbox is established within GO-Biz, covering occupational-licensure activities under Cal. BPC and financial-product innovation under Cal. Fin. Code Div. 24.
2. (b) Twenty-four-month terms; renewable.

Sec. 302. Scope

1. (a) Covers state-licensed activities in occupational-licensure boards under Cal. BPC and financial activities under Cal. Fin. Code, to the extent not preempted. Cal. Lab. Code protections apply.

TITLE IV — SMALL-BUSINESS FORMATION

Sec. 401. Expedited Formation Pathway

1. (a) The Secretary of State shall implement an expedited formation pathway for Cal. Corp. Code entities within 24 hours.

Sec. 402. Single-Portal Licensing

1. (a) CalGold shall operate a single-portal licensing system for state-level occupational licenses under Cal. BPC.

TITLE V — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 502. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect January 1 of the year following enactment.

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Canonical federal version: AI Workforce. Other California bills: CA-ACSA, CA-MEWRA, CA-GT&P.