New California laws rewrite car-buying rules with return policy and pricing reforms
California lawmakers let automakers opt out of recent changes to the state’s lemon law and...
California Legislature
Skelton: Courage lacking to fix California’s deep-rooted budget shortfall
"There’s no upside for a politician to tackle nagging budget deficits. It’s much easier ......
Walters: Cap and trade is now a backdoor tax on California consumers
State Legislature is spending much of the program's $5 billion revenues on projects with minimal...
Walters: Assembly Speaker Rivas promises to scrutinize how California’s new laws work
Rivas wants to ensure review of legislation is a regular practice starting next year, but...
California’s new labor law could have unintended, unwanted consequences
AB 288 represents a potentially disruptive precedent, opening door to every state creating their laws...
Cal State faculty criticize presidents’ hefty pay boost amid layoffs, budget shortfall
Faculty and staff across the system condemned the change, arguing it comes amid widespread layoffs,...
Walters: Dana Williamson’s indictment reveals a hidden world of political operatives
Politicians come and go. But Sacramento has a permanent substructure, which does the real, if...
Trump sues California over law that bans masked federal agents
The law prohibits neck gaiters, ski masks and other facial coverings for local and federal...
Another Bay Area city is banning gas-powered leaf blowers. But not everyone is ready for the switch to electric.
Los Altos became the first to oust the noisy power tools in 1991 – a...
California celebrates modest progress in student achievement, but advocates warn it’s not enough
California made incremental gains in boosting student graduation rates, reducing chronic absenteeism and seeing more...
California is a high-tax state. Are more taxes a balm for its deficits?
Unions and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are pushing three measures for 2026 ballot with wildly...
California lawmakers found money for these pet projects even as they slashed the budget
California lawmakers faced a difficult budget year, but they still managed to put hundreds of...
Why a new California law could change the way all Americans browse the internet
Legislation recently enacted in California will make it easier for consumers nationwide to protect their...
California ensures undocumented residents access to phone service assistance. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz wants Trump administration to investigate
Updates to California Lifeline have gotten the attention of the Texas Republican, who alleged it...
15 DUIs, still driving: California’s failure to take repeat drunk drivers off the road
As alcohol-related roadway deaths spike across the state, an investigation finds California has some of...
Walters: Ballot measure would broaden reform of state’s key environmental law
The California Chamber of Commerce has unveiled a voter initiative that would revise CEQA to...
California Faculty Association denies ‘blatant antisemitism’ claims by Jewish orgs
The allegations come after the California State University faculty union sent an endorsement questionnaire to...
Gov. Newsom vetoes car dealer bill that would have hiked fees on buyers
It would have let dealers charge $85 to up to 1% of the purchase price,...
California’s latest attempt at charter school reform dies with Gov. Newsom’s veto
The failure of SB 414 comes as state leaders have struggled for years to address weaknesses...
Think your kid’s done with a booster seat? New California law says maybe not
After pushback from some Democrats, a controversial bill that would have banned short kids from...
Gun groups sue after Gov. Newsom signs law to ban handguns that can convert to machine guns
The governor signed the law Friday, and the NRA and other groups sued Monday.
State audit calls out UC, CSU student housing and says $89 million should not be used for SJSU’s Spartan Village
The report evaluates the UC, CSU and California Community Colleges systems and their efforts to...
Glock ban, slavery reparations, ICE agent masks, more housing: 10 key bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law
Most of the 794 new California state laws passed this year take effect on Jan....
Newsom signs new shopping cart law championed by San Jose politicians
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Sen. Dave Cortese's bill that enables governments to return abandoned...
Governor signs South Bay-inspired bill to enshrine rights for families of people shot by police
Law authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra and sponsored by San Jose families compels police to...
Protecting Jewish students or chilling speech? Inside California’s ‘hardest’ fight over antisemitism
Emotional fights erupted over a controversial attempt this year to counter antisemitism in schools by...
California’s Prop. 36 promised ‘mass treatment’ for defendants. A new study shows how it’s going
The biggest study yet on California’s tough-on-crime ballot measure Proposition 36 shows few people are...
California restaurants will have to disclose food allergens on their menus under new law
They will have to disclose ingredients including milk, eggs, shellfish and tree nuts when they...
Gov. Newsom signs a reparations study law but vetoes other racial justice proposals
Democratic Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who authored the university admissions preference bill, said Newsom’s veto was...
Gov. Newsom signs controversial bill letting relatives care for kids if parents are deported
The measure has provoked a firestorm of conservative criticism.
Check out some wildfire-related bills that Gov. Newsom signed last week
The sweeping package of bills were signed nine months after the most devastating wildfires to...
Gov. Newsom signs bill giving civilian oversight boards access to police personnel files
Assembly Bill 847 gives oversight commissions the same access to peace officer files currently held...
Walters: California’s long-running saga over local tax measures might return to the ballot
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association promoting a 2026 ballot measure that would close loophole, mandating two-thirds...
California bans cat declawing under new state law
Leading veterinary organization opposed the bill, animal welfare groups said practice is painful and cruel
Newsom signs laws to stop flow from out-of-state puppy mills into California
The three laws implement stringent health and transparency requirements.
Newsom signs bill to automatically admit qualified graduates to CSU system
SB 640 takes effect beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.
Newsom signs bill that expedites Highway 37 project
The legislation sets up planners to begin construction next year on the $500 million, three-phase...
Newsom vetoes bill restricting use of license plate reader data
State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes alleges her bill played a role in police wrongly citing her...
Gov. Newsom signs two suicide-prevention bills
The bills require California to study the issue and include suicide-prevention guidelines when developing state...
New California law requires some ultraprocessed foods to be removed from school lunches
The first-in-the-nation law requires the adoption of rules by mid-2028 defining “ultraprocessed foods of concern”...
California makes Diwali a state holiday starting in 2026
Starting next year, California schools can close and state employees can take the day off...
Gov. Gavin Newsom just banned loud ads on Netflix. Here’s why
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning ads that are substantially louder than the shows...
Newsom signs controversial antisemitism bill that sets up first-in-the-nation measures
Newsom's signing of the bill marks the end of a lengthy attempt by California legislators...
Walters: California businesses bear brunt of growing unemployment benefit debt
Financing unemployment insurance benefits with federal loans and taxes on employers cannot continue indefinitely.
Newsom signs legislation to bolster fusion, quantum technologies
The news came after Livermore and Alameda lost in a bid to house Fremont-based energy...
Will your congressional district change if Prop. 50 passes? Use these maps to find out
These interactive maps help show both the big-picture, statewide changes and the changes to your...
In California, paying someone to vote could result in a $10,000 fine or jail
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two election-related bills into law in early October, criticizing the Trump...
Will new California law prevent gas price spikes?
Senate Bill 237 aims to prevent gasoline price spikes in the wake of anticipated oil...
This bill has been hailed a ‘landmark’ victory for Bay Area YIMBYs. But it only narrowly escaped defeat
Sen. Scott Wiener’s bill survived more than a dozen amendments, two hostile committee chairs and...
Mathews: California’s marriage to the U.S. is beyond repair. We must divorce.
The federal government has abandoned democracy and embraced authoritarianism. Our state's future is brighter without...
California businesses, lawmakers turn up heat in battle over workplace temperatures
Governor weighing bill that would give workers’ compensation benefits to employees suffering from heat illness...
New California law restricts HOA fines to $100 per violation, giving homeowners a break
Millions of California residents could get a break if they violate HOA rules under a...
6 new California laws going into effect today
A number of new laws are set to take effect in California on Oct.1, 2025....
Walters: California’s most glaring issues have little to do with Trump
State's struggles with homelessness, poverty, high living costs and housing shortages weren't caused by the...
Newsom signs landmark bill creating AI safety measures
The governor touts California's new law as one that will establish some of the first-in-the-nation...
Lower electricity bills? Or more pollution? A new California law is sparking big debate
Should California strike a deal with 10 other Western states to more easily buy and...
Walters: California lacks authority to enforce Newsom’s ICE mask ban
Court rulings show state cannot legally arrest federal agents for official actions, no matter how...
U.S. attorney, DHS say ICE won’t comply with California’s new mask ban
Federal authorities said they would not comply with California’s new ban on law enforcement agents...
Newsom signs ‘Safe Schools Act’ taking unprecedented action against ICE
The legislation comes as Trump has promised mass deportations of immigrants and has made it...
Opinion: California salmon runs in danger of extinction if Newsom fails to act
Trump administration and California's governor are pursuing policies threatening the survival of the once-mighty species
Prop. 36 promised treatment for people with serious drug addiction, but jails are left holding the bag
$110 million included in this year's state budget is going to courts and attorneys but...
Controversial antisemitism bill awaits Newsom’s signature
The version of AB 715 awaiting Newsom's signature has undergone several major changes since it...
California bans most law enforcement officers from wearing masks
A homeland security official called the legislation “despicable,” saying the ban would only put officers...
State puts $18 billion more into wildfire fund, but not for past Northern California survivors
A sprawling energy package passed at the eleventh hour by lawmakers includes a massive infusion...
Walters: Are state’s tax loopholes, rebates good business or questionable kickbacks?
California subsidies for industries raise questions about their economic value versus political expediency.
Watch police bodycam video that led to California state senator’s DUI citation
Senator’s attorneys contend the footage proves officers' misconduct during her citation on suspicion of DUI....
These are the wildfire-related bills the California Legislature OK’d this year
Lawmakers introduced dozens of wildfire-related bills this year. We highlight some the legislature recently passed.
8 bills the California Legislature approved this year, from de-masking ICE agents to AI safeguards
Only about a third of bills introduced this year were passed on to Gov. Gavin...
California’s FAIR Plan would face more scrutiny under bill heading to Newsom’s desk
The FAIR Plan faces accusations of denying smoke-damage claims and more. Can California lawmakers keep...
Historic California “science of reading” bill heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom
Evidence-based reading teaches students how to read by emphasizing skills like phonics and vocabulary rather...
Bill to boost housing near transit passes. But one Bay Area county got an out
Housing up to seven stories could be allowed within a quarter mile of BART, Caltrain...
California oil merger set to benefit from permitting boom
California Resources Corporation, which is set to take over rival oil driller Berry Corp, stands...
California Legislature passes a swath of last-minute energy bills
The pieces of legislation now head to the governor's desk to get signed into law.
Opinion: Local control over housing has pushed Californians to other states
California’s policy of handing land use policy to cities and counties allowed jobs-rich areas to...
Sales tax to help fund Bay Area transit appears to be headed for 2026 ballot
The half-cent sales tax would help raise revenues for struggling transit systems that still haven't...
California tied with Louisiana for highest U.S. poverty rate, think tank reports
Poverty in California is still deeper than before the pandemic as inequality worsens.
Is Cal Fire’s forest management undermining California’s climate goals?
State's fire agency is greenwashing its industrial logging side hustle, while raising carbon emissions —...
Two years on, Californians still don’t know impact of $20 fast-food wage
Conflicting economic studies from partisan sources cloud sober analysis of the 2023 bill's effects on...
California bill that would mostly prohibit local, federal officers from concealing faces heads to governor’s desk
The state assembly and senate have approved Sen. Scott Wiener's bill that would limit local...
Opinion: Newsom must protect California’s drinking water from microplastics
Bill on Newsom's desk is based on a simple premise: If plastic isn’t necessary in...
Bill to cut fares for Uber and Lyft heads to Gov. Newsom’s desk
The bill aims to reduce the cost of rideshare services for Californians by removing the...
Newsom, lawmakers reach a deal to inject $20 billion into high speed rail
The funds would be enough to complete the initial operating segment from Merced to Bakersfield...
With marathon meetings and secret negotiations, California Legislature barrels toward end of session
Lawmakers in Sacramento are racing to wrap up consequential bills this week.
Inside Google’s shadow campaign against California privacy regulation
Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard...
California’s biggest inland oil pipeline on course to shut, imperiling shipments to Bay Area refiners
The pipeline is in danger of closing within months without state approval for a rate...
Bill to automatically admit California high school seniors to state universities heads to Gov. Newsom
State Senator Cabaldon’s legislation to automatically admit every qualifying high school senior in California to...
Last-minute bill aimed at boosting California oil production introduced
Senate Bill 237 is one of a host of energy-related bills put forward in the...
California to boost utility wildfire fund by $18 billion
The agreement would see ratepayers contribute half of the money and utility shareholders contribute the...
Walters: Political friction percolates over housing policy, workers comp payouts
In final week of Legislature's 2025 session, state vs. local tensions spike over land use...
Opinion: California schools must not enshrine Trump’s weaponization of antisemitism
In the guise of protecting Jewish students, legislators are pushing a bill, AB 715, that...
Opinion: Masquerading as green, state bill would unleash toxins into poor neighborhoods
SB 404 lets metal recyclers effectively regulate themselves despite damning evidence of their past pollution.
California in talks to pay hundreds of millions to Valero to stave off Bay Area refinery shutdown
California legislators are considering giving Valero Energy Corp. hundreds of millions of dollars to cover...
Newsom says he’s working on Bay Area transit loan deal — but details being hashed out in secret
Governor's office signals that it will work with legislators on deal to avoid a funding...
Opinion: As D.C. retreats, California must lead on affordable clean energy
Three pending bills in state Legislature pose to lower utility costs, stabilize demand and invest...
Opinion: A pending state bill would hide police misconduct records. It must die.
A California legislator's amendments will, if passed, shield law enforcement officers' abuses from the public...
Unabashed California liberal and former US Rep. John Burton dies at 92
Former U.S. Rep. John Burton, a salty-tongued and unabashedly liberal San Francisco Democrat who stood...
Why is the California Teachers Association fighting an antisemitism bill?
Jewish students face unprecedented hatred. Yet the state's largest public employee union opposes helpful legislation.
Walters: New California law to make housing projects easier can also make them cost more
While AB130 removes CEQA as a weapon for opponents of high-density projects, a buried provision...
California’s addiction rehab reformers face headwinds as they await action on bills
Seems that dead bodies, overdoses and insurance fraud aren’t quite enough to spur California to...
Walters: Courts keep striking down California laws infringing on free speech, gun rights
As Newsom, et al, posture as saviors of democracy, they haven’t hesitated to infringe on...