California's 'Protect Our Games' Act Stalls in Senate Committee

The Protect Our Games Act, known as AB 1921, has hit a significant roadblock. The Californian bill, which seeks to mandate that publishers either keep games playable after server shutdowns or offer full refunds to consumers, failed to pass a vote by the state senate's Business, Professions and Economic Development committee yesterday, June 29th.

Of the 11 politicians present at the hearing, only four voted in favor of moving the bill forward. With three votes against and four abstentions, the bill failed to secure the necessary majority to advance. This represents a pause in the momentum for the Stop Killing Games campaign, which had previously seen the bill pass through the state assembly with a 43 to 16 vote.

A Second Chance for AB 1921

Despite the setback, the legislative journey for AB 1921 is not necessarily over. The committee’s latest motion explicitly notes that reconsideration was granted, allowing the bill a potential second chance to clear the committee at a future date.

For the activists behind the campaign, the current status is a bittersweet milestone. In a recent update posted to Reddit, the team reflected on the resources they had at their disposal:

"This was our first attempt, in our first year, in the United States, with a U.S. budget of zero dollars. No paid staff in California. No war chest. No in-person lobbying operation. We were only three votes away from this becoming law."

The campaigners attributed the loss partly to the in-person lobbying efforts of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which has actively argued against the legislation.

Looking Ahead: Future Lobbying and Expansion

Following the hearing, the Stop Killing Games group is already recalibrating. They stated plans to return for the next session with a formal in-person lobbying presence and increased funding. Furthermore, they intend to expand their reach by introducing similar versions of the bill in other state legislatures and are currently exploring options at the federal level.

Beyond their focus on game preservation, the group has also launched a sister campaign titled Stop Killing the Internet. Formed in partnership with organizations like Big Brother Watch and Index on Censorship, this initiative is pushing back against global digital restrictions, specifically the UK’s plan to introduce age verification for social media and gaming services by early 2027.