Assembly BillChaptered/SignedEducation
AB 2504: Community colleges: artificial intelligence: pilot program.
What AB 2504 does, verified September 21, 2026
<p>The bill requires the chancellor's office of California community colleges to implement the Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program by July 1, 2027. Up to ten community college districts will participate in this initiative. The program must be evaluated and a report submitted to the legislature by January 1, 2032. The pilot program is set to end on January 1, 2033.</p>
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 305, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-18)Alert me
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| Sep. 18, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 305, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 18, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug. 28, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 24, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6412.). |
| Aug. 20, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
Latest bill textEnrolled version, August 26, 2026 · 831 words
| Enrolled August 26, 2026 |
| Passed IN Senate August 20, 2026 |
| Passed IN Assembly August 24, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate June 30, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate June 11, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly April 16, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly April 06, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2504
| Introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan (Coauthors: Assembly Members Petrie-Norris, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sharp-Collins) |
February 20, 2026 |
An act to add and repeal Article 1.7 (commencing with Section 78026) of Chapter 1 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code, relating to community colleges.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2504, Bauer-Kahan. Community colleges: artificial intelligence: pilot program.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the board to appoint a chief executive officer, known as the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, under the administration of community college district governing boards, and authorizes these districts to provide instruction at the community college campuses they operate.
This bill, upon appropriation, would require the chancellor’s office to implement the Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program, commencing on or before July 1, 2028, and to select up to 10 community colleges to participate in the pilot program, as specified. The bill would require the chancellor’s office, on or before January 1, 2032, to submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program, as provided. The bill would repeal this pilot program on January 1, 2033.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Article 1.7 (commencing with Section 78026) is added to Chapter 1 of Part 48 of Division 7 of Title 3 of the Education Code, to read:Article 1.7. Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program
78026.
This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program.78026.1.
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:(a) “Chancellor’s office” means the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.
(b) “Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program” or “pilot program” means the program established pursuant to Section 78026.2.
78026.2.
(a) (1) The chancellor’s office shall establish the Future of Creative Industries Pilot Program.(2) The pilot program shall be developed in partnership with labor unions representing creative workers and with industry representatives.
(3) The pilot program shall be developed to achieve all of the following goals:
(A) Supporting workers in California’s creative and entertainment industries, including film, television, music, touring, and live events, who have been or are at risk of being displaced by generative artificial intelligence, including sound engineers, voice actors, concept artists, and employees in entry-level positions, by providing structured reskilling and upskilling opportunities through the California Community Colleges.
(B) Ensuring that each participating community college program is designed and implemented in meaningful partnership with labor unions representing creative workers and with industry representatives so that curriculum and training models reflect the real tools, conditions, and career pathways of the workforce being served.
(C) Establishing a coordinated, outcomes-driven model that California Community Colleges and workforce systems can replicate across sectors facing artificial intelligence-driven employment disruption.
(b) On or before June 30, 2027, the chancellor’s office shall establish eligibility criteria for community colleges seeking to apply to participate in the pilot program.
(c) The pilot program shall be limited to up to 10 community colleges statewide, to be selected by the chancellor’s office. In selecting community colleges for participation in the pilot program, the chancellor’s office is encouraged to ensure that there is equitable access to the pilot program between the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.
78026.3.
Implementation of the pilot program for the selected community colleges shall commence on or before July 1, 2028.78026.4.
(a) On or before January 1, 2032, the chancellor’s office shall submit a report to the Legislature evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program at community colleges participating in the pilot program.(b) (1) The report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include, but not be limited to, the number of participants who completed the pilot program, a comprehensive list of the certificates or degrees awarded to participants who completed the pilot program, and outcomes and job placement rates of participants who completed the pilot program.
(2) The data described in paragraph (1) shall be disaggregated by student demographics.
(c) The report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include outcomes and legislative recommendations.
(d) The report submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
78026.5.
This article shall become operative only upon an appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute for its purposes.78026.6.
This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2033, and as of that date is repealed.Text of AB 2504 as enrolled, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions