California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 190 bills and vetoed 78 bills last weekend, with 31 of them being rejected due to budget constraints.
The California government is facing a $73 billion budget deficit. In the veto message of the 31 bills, Newsom mentioned, “This year, the state government worked with the legislative body to formulate a balanced budget to prevent significant cuts to essential services and to ensure investments in education, healthcare, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs relied upon by millions of Californians.”
The Governor emphasized the importance of caution when considering bills that are not within the budget and have significant financial impacts.
The vetoed bills covered content related to climate, education, healthcare, housing, and public safety. Among them, AB922 proposed by State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, which aimed to provide meals for the homeless, and AB544 introduced by State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, which sought to provide funding for voting centers in certain county jails, were both rejected.
Controversial bill AB2586, allowing universities to hire undocumented immigrant students, was also rejected by the Governor. This bill was proposed by State Assemblymember David Alvarez.
Newsom’s vetoed proposals also included AB2549, which was passed unanimously by both chambers of the state legislature. This bill, introduced by Republican leader and Assemblymember James Gallagher, required healthcare facilities to establish agreements for “maximum visitation” during restricted visitation periods, and to allow visitation in end-of-life situations.
In his veto message, Governor Newsom stated that he believes in-person visitation provides “many benefits” to hospitalized patients, but the state government’s response to the pandemic at the local level is preferable to the bill because counties can operate with “less risk and more flexibility.”
Among the nearly 200 bills signed into law, only AB1410 proposed by State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh had a signing statement attached. This bill suggested that the State Board of Education consider offering algebra classes in middle schools.
Newsom mentioned that AB1410 follows the framework adopted by the State Board of Education in July 2023 and “encourages California students to start learning high school math before entering ninth grade.”
AB976, introduced by State Senator Nancy Skinner, was also signed into law. The bill, formally titled the “Protecting Our Children from Social Media Addiction Act,” prohibits social media companies from providing “addictive internet content” to minors from September to May (typical school periods), and prohibits sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m., as well as between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Other bills signed by Newsom also addressed topics related to state government management, education, public safety, health, and housing.
As the deadline of September 30 approaches, there are still more than 600 bills awaiting the Governor’s decision.