California’s legislative body proposed over 2,600 bills in 2023, the most in a decade, with 1,046 passing. Governor Newsom signed 890 of these bills into law, vetoing 156 proposals. Some of the new laws took effect on January 1, 2024, while others will come into force on July 1. As of June 13, 2024, California legislators have introduced 2,124 bills for the year.
One of the bills, co-sponsored by Democratic Assembly members Josh Lowenthal from the 69th District and Mike Gipson from the 65th District, requires bars and nightclubs holding Type 48 licenses (for primarily selling alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption) to sell drug (controlled substances) testing equipment to customers at prices not exceeding a reasonable amount above wholesale cost, including strips, stickers, and straws. Controlled substances covered include but are not limited to flunitrazepam (date rape drug), ketamine, and gamma hydroxybutyric acid.
Another bill, introduced by Democratic Assembly member Jesse Gabriel from the 46th District, imposes an 11% state sales tax on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition sold in California, in addition to the 10-11% federal tax already levied. AB28 makes California the only state in the U.S. to collect such a tax, projected to generate $160 million in tax revenue annually for California’s Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Fund.
Since 1919, the federal government has levied a 10-11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition sold by manufacturers, producers, and importers, with revenues used to fund wildlife conservation efforts through the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. The Act also imposes additional taxes on members profiting from firearms and ammunition sales.
A bill introduced by Democratic State Senators Bill Dodd from the 3rd District and Nancy Skinner from the 9th District mandates businesses to disclose all costs of goods (excluding government taxes) and prohibits restaurants, bars, and food delivery apps from charging hidden surcharges.
The legislation outlines unfair competition and deceitful practices, including counterfeiting, false advertising, undisclosed ingredient or origin information, promoting unspecified features, unnecessary replacements and repairs, and adding unreasonable terms.
Another bill sponsored by Democratic Assembly member Marc Berman from the 23rd District prohibits the collection of fees not included in short-term accommodations (excluding government taxes), with violators facing civil penalties of up to $10,000.
Short-term lodging establishments (hotels, motels or temporary accommodations), internet platforms, applications, or similar centralized platforms are required to include government taxes in the total price when consumers book accommodations. “Short-term accommodation” refers to leases lasting 30 days or less.
A bill proposed by Democratic Assembly member Cristina Garcia from the 58th District mandates public elementary, middle, and high schools to provide menstrual products to students, free of charge in economically disadvantaged areas. The new law applies to community colleges and California State Universities.
The law requires schools to provide menstrual products in female restrooms, gender-neutral restrooms, and at least one male restroom in student centers, libraries, health centers, lounges, and study areas, ensuring equitable treatment for transgender students as well.
Introduced by Nancy Skinner, another bill prohibits expelling or suspending students for reasons such as truancy, tardiness, absenteeism, disruptive behavior, or defiance of teachers or administrators; school officials must document actions taken within 5 days of an incident.
Existing laws already prohibit “willful defiance” suspensions for kindergarten through 5th grade students, with a mandate to discontinue such suspensions by July 1, 2029, for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12, except for students possessing or selling dangerous items (firearms, knives, explosives, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.), causing bodily harm or property damage, or attempting robbery and extortion.
Proposed by Democratic Assembly member Matt Haney from the 17th District, a bill prohibits landlords from requiring or accepting more than one month’s rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the rental property is furnished. Current law allows landlords to collect a security deposit of 2 months (unfurnished housing) or 3 months (furnished housing), but after July 1, tenants will no longer be required to pay a deposit exceeding one month’s rent (excluding the first month’s rent).
A bill introduced by Democratic State Senator Anna Caballero from the 14th District aims to expedite the approval process for local agencies to construct more housing; specifically, when the parcel size does not exceed 5 acres and residential units are 10 or fewer, no discretionary review or hearing is required.
The new law allows for the construction of more medium-density housing on these small parcels, such as “duplexes, fourplexes, garden apartments, townhomes,” prohibiting local agencies from imposing certain standards on such development projects, like requirements for parking lots; local governments must approve or deny project applications within 60 days.
Proposed by Democratic State Senator Susan Eggman from the 5th District, a bill requires manufacturers of electronic products priced at $50 or higher to provide repair documentation, components, and tools, with a 3-year repair obligation (regardless of warranty expiration) for products priced at $100 or higher, a 7-year repair obligation.
The law broadly covers electronic and household products manufactured, sold, or used in California for the first time on or after July 1, 2021, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and various household appliances.