Category: General

Business and labor

• Wage enforcement (SB 261): This bill aims to strengthen the enforcement of wage laws. It would impose significant penalties, including up to three times the unpaid amount and attorneys' fees, for unpaid wage judgments. The goal is to ensure compliance and deter employers from withholding wages.
• Rideshare unionization (AB 1340 and SB 371): This deal, negotiated between labor groups and the rideshare industry, would allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize. In exchange, it supports an industry-backed measure (SB 371) to reduce insurance costs for drivers.
• Workplace surveillance (Unnamed): Lawmakers passed measures that would place limits on workplace surveillance and require transparency when artificial intelligence (AI) is used for automated decision-making in the workplace.
• Gig economy independent contractors (SB 809): This bill addresses the designation of independent contractors versus employees and related business expenses for vehicle use. [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Housing and environment

• Cap-and-trade renewal (AB 1207 and others): The legislature approved a package of energy bills, which includes extending the state's cap-and-trade program—renamed “cap and invest”—through 2045. The program sets a limit on greenhouse gas emissions and requires companies to purchase permits for pollution.
• High-speed rail funding: As part of the renewed cap-and-trade deal, $1 billion per year is designated for California's high-speed rail project.
• Dense housing near transit (SB 79): This controversial bill would allow for denser housing development near transit stations, overriding some local zoning rules that restrict housing to single-family homes.
• Wildfire insurance (AB 290): This bill would require the state's insurer of last resort, the FAIR Plan, to establish a system for automatic payments by April 1, 2026, giving policyholders more convenient payment options. [1, 4, 7, 8, 9]

Public safety and government

• Prohibition on masks for law enforcement (SB 627): In response to federal immigration enforcement tactics, this measure would prohibit on-duty law enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identity, with the exception of the California Highway Patrol. Legal challenges regarding its applicability to federal agents are expected.
• Financial transparency (SB 595): This bill aims to increase transparency in municipal finance by requiring local governments to provide financial statements more quickly. [1, 4, 7, 10, 11]

Technology

• AI regulation (SB 53): This bill is one of several measures addressing artificial intelligence. It seeks to balance AI oversight with the growth of the technology industry.
• Online child safety (AB 1043, SB 243): Several bills passed this session focus on online safety for minors. These include requiring age verification on social media platforms and safeguards for AI chatbots. [1, 4, 12]

Education

• Combating antisemitism (AB 715): This measure is designed to address antisemitism in K-12 public schools. It would establish new programs and an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator to monitor, prevent, and mitigate antisemitism on school campuses. [1, 13, 14, 15]

Already signed by the Governor

• Immigration enforcement response: On September 20, Governor Newsom signed a package of bills aimed at curbing federal overreach on immigration. These measures prevent immigration enforcement in schools and hospitals without a judicial warrant and prohibit federal agents from concealing their identities.
• Cap-and-trade implementation: As part of the larger energy package, Newsom signed legislation on September 19 to save money on electric bills and stabilize the gas market. [16, 17, 18, 19]