i find it kind of funny that californian politicians think they need to legalise something that is not illegal in the first place.
at this precise moment there is no law that makes it a criminal act to mine a bitcoin or use a bitcoin. merchants right now today will not be arrested for accepting bitcoin.
this new law to make it 'money' is useless because it does not make it legal tender (meaning accepted to pay court fee's or tax bills). the classification of an asset means that to hold bitcoins and do business of purely bitcoins and altcoins means that you do not need a money transmission licence.
by calling it money. then cryptocurency exchanges (not touching fiat). if set up in california, will need a money transmission licence.
remember last year, the bitcoin foundation were threatened with legal action for money transmission without a licence when they reserved the conference hall for the bitcoin convention
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100838553. they did not get arrested or go to court bcause last year, bitcoin was not money.
if dclared money this year, expect to have to buy a licence if you want to trade in california..
i hope people realise the negative reasons of the word "money" and the positive reasons of "asset currency" in reality the functions are still the same, but alot less red tape and costs by not being 'money'
bitcoin for all intents and purposes has more freedom and less red tape being defined as an asset currency. bitcoin does not need monetary regulation and control. all bitcoin needs is business oversight in the form of consumer protection
EG the better business bureau, not fincen