LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: October 7, 2026
Subject: Local Government Intellectual Property
Submitted For: Legislation Committee
Department: County Administrator’s Office
Contact: E. Struthers, 925-655-2045
Referral History:
Recent case law has complicated the issue of local government ownership of intellectual property in California, and the law has not been updated to keep pace with the current environment. If not corrected, this could be a major emerging issue as local governments
increasingly develop their own technology-based or AI tools.
Any potential policy solutions would be structured to preserve ownership of government-funded, internally developed software tools, related IP, etc.). Solutions must be carefully designed to ensure that they do not limit access to public records/information.
Referral Update:
Invited panelists on this topic include:
• Rebecca Hooley, Assistant County Counsel
• Nathan Wiebe, Assistant CIO of Information Technology
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE and DISCUSS informational updates on Innovation Opportunities and Initiatives.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None.