In 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed nearly 800 bills that will impact various aspects of people’s daily lives, including wages, housing, consumption, education, and justice. Many of these new laws will officially take effect in 2026.
The “SB1053 Bill” prohibits the use of all plastic shopping bags in California starting from January 1, 2026. Businesses can only provide recyclable paper bags to consumers, charging a minimum fee of 10 cents per paper bag. However, businesses are not allowed to force consumers to purchase them.
The “AB628 Bill” mandates that landlords must equip rental properties with functional stoves and refrigerators. This new law also takes effect from January 1.
Starting from October 1, 2026, consumers in California who purchase used cars under $50,000 from car dealerships can request a refund within three days if the vehicle shows no damage and has not been driven excessive miles, according to the “SB766 Bill.” The law also requires dealerships to disclose all costs upfront and prohibits charging unnecessary fees to buyers. Private sales are exempt from this law.
The “SB640 Bill” stipulates that California high school students meeting academic and course requirements starting from the 2026-2027 school year will automatically receive admission eligibility to state universities without an application process. They will receive notification signed by the chancellor of the California State University system, informing them of acceptance in some campuses that still have enrollment slots available.
The “AB3216 Bill” requires all school districts, charter schools, and county education offices to establish policies restricting smartphone use by July 1, 2026.
From next year until 2035, California will gradually eliminate “ultra-processed foods” from school meals, as outlined in the “AB1264 Bill.” Junk foods beloved by some students, such as frozen pizzas, chips, breakfast cereals, and sugary drinks, will disappear from California schools over the next few years.
The “AB268 Bill” designates Diwali (the Indian Festival of Lights) as a state holiday. Public schools and community colleges will have the day off on Diwali starting from 2026. State government employees can choose to take paid leave.
Next year, California’s average minimum wage will increase to $16.9. However, certain industries like fast-food restaurants and healthcare have higher minimum wages. Some cities and counties have also set higher minimum wage standards.
The “AB578 Bill” prohibits delivery platforms from using tips or service fees to offset the basic wages of delivery workers and requires platforms to provide clear wage breakdowns.
Starting from January 1, 2026, the “AB406 Bill” allows employees to use paid sick leave and certain unpaid leave when they or their dependents become victims of specific crimes while participating in relevant legal proceedings to avoid job loss due to absence.
The “AB1514 Bill” mandates strict ABC testing to determine whether someone is classified as an independent contractor or an employee. Only individuals meeting all ABC criteria — a) work controlled by the worker, not the company; b) not part of the company’s core business; c) an independent profession of the worker — can become independent contractors.
This new law extends the current exemption period for licensed nail technicians and commercial fishermen from the ABC classification test. In other words, these two industries are not subject to the ABC test.
Starting from January 1, 2026, employers cannot require employees or job seekers to sign employment contracts containing terms that require employees to pay fines or reimburse costs to third parties (such as training institutions) if the employment relationship terminates, or to repay debts, or authorize employers to collect debts. Contracts containing these terms are deemed illegal, with a few exceptions.
Beginning on January 1, California will start selling affordable insulin pens under its own brand name. Priced at $11 each or $55 for a pack of five under the brand name CalRx, these insulin pens are medical devices that allow diabetes patients to self-inject insulin. According to the governor’s office, CalRx insulin pens, similar to the long-acting insulin analogue “Insulin glargine,” can interchangeably help control the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients.
The above are just some of the new laws taking effect in 2026. For more legislation, you can check the official websites of both houses of the California State Legislature. This article is for general information only, and Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, real estate planning, or other personal financial advice. ◇