California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday directing state officials to explore the feasibility of imposing a mandatory "kill switch" for the most advanced AI models.

The order directs the Government Operations Agency, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, to convene national experts and submit recommendations by November 16, 2026, on strengthening AI safety laws. Proposals include requiring frontier AI companies to embed independent verification organizations in their labs for audits, mandating independent verification of safety reports, advancing the creation of an emergency shutoff for frontier models, and updating definitions of critical safety incidents to cover loss-of-control events.

Newsom, widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028, issued the order amid recent incidents at AI labs including OpenAI and Anthropic. He stated that the federal government’s failure to enact meaningful oversight should alarm Americans.

The move accelerates timelines for existing state laws on independent oversight of AI companies. Newsom previously vetoed a bill that would have mandated a kill switch two years ago.

Critics of expansive state regulation argue that such measures could hinder innovation in California’s dominant technology sector, where many leading AI firms are headquartered. The order positions the state as a leader in AI policy while explicitly faulting President Donald Trump and Congress for not acting first.

Experts convened under the order will assess the technical feasibility and efficacy of these requirements, with a focus on verified implementation by independent parties.