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New Legislation By Assemblymember Ting Targets Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition Technology To Protect Californians

Ting Introduces Facial Recognition Bill

Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) introduced a bill today to set parameters on the use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) in California. AB 1814 prohibits law enforcement from proceeding with a search, arrest or affidavit for a warrant, based solely on an FRT match. There must be other supporting factors. AB 1814 also requires the peace officer to examine the facial recognition match with care and consider the possibility it could be inaccurate. The goal is to prevent mistaken arrests or inappropriate tracking when this public safety tool is used.

“While facial recognition technology can be helpful in solving cases, one person arrested from an incorrect match is one too many. By requiring additional evidence, we can help protect people’s privacy and due process rights,” said Ting. 

The Press Democrat Editorial: Let Police Ticket Driverless Vehicles

If a car speeds through a school zone or breaks some other traffic law, the driver should get a ticket. But what if there is no driver? That’s the challenge confronting state lawmakers as California’s laws aren’t ready for autonomous vehicles. At least one lawmaker wants to fix it.

SF Standard: State Lawmaker Wants To Start Ticketing San Francisco Robotaxis

After a disastrous year for Cruise, one California lawmaker wants more scrutiny on the robotaxi industry coming into 2024—and is preparing legislation that would treat robotaxis the same as human-operated vehicles when they speed or commit other moving violations. 

Assemblymember Phil Ting, who represents parts of San Francisco and San Mateo County, told The Standard that he’s in the process of rolling out legislation that would further regulate driverless vehicles.

Legislation Addressing CA’s Housing Shortage Leads The List of Bills By Asm Ting Taking Effect Jan 1

Ting Bills Taking Effect January 1, 2024

To effectively address California’s housing crisis, the state must simply build more places to live. In fact, the Department of Housing and Community Development says about 180,000 units need to be added every year to keep up with housing demand. Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) has four bills taking effect next month that aims to increase the housing supply.

The most impactful may be the strengthening the state’s Housing Accountability Act (HAA) under AB 1633, which clarifies that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) cannot be used to endlessly delay or block housing projects, once all legal requirements have been met. The legislation does not alter CEQA in any way and will promote climate-friendly infill housing.

NBC Bay Area: ‘Now more than ever': Local, State Leaders Uniting Communities Against Hate

With hate crimes on the rise across California, local and state leaders are asking communities to stand up against hate.

United Against Hate Week, which is happening this week, started at Civic Center Park in Berkeley after white supremacy rallies. Years later, local and state leaders say the call to action is only growing with hate crimes mounting.

... "We need to send a message that there are many more of us who have a message of love and of peace than of the fringes who are focused on hate," Assemblymember Phil Ting said.