The most interesting bills California lawmakers sent to Newsom’s desk in 2023
Will Californians be allowed to take some psychedelic drugs? Will driverless big-rigs be allowed to roam our roads? Will the state levy new taxes on gun manufacturers to fund violence prevention programs?
Those are some of the decisions Gov. Gavin Newsom will make in the coming weeks when he signs or vetoes bills the Legislature must send him by Thursday. California lawmakers are voting on hundreds of bills as they race to finish the 2023 legislative session. The hectic period of high-stakes decision-making marks a leadership test for new Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and a the last major push for Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), who is stepping aside next year.
The articles below explain the most interesting or consequential bills that lawmakers are sending Newsom. He has until Oct. 14 to decide which ones will become California law.
- 1
Arthritis from scrubbing, asthma from chemicals. California housekeepers want in on OSHA protections
Housekeepers, cleaners and nannies demand OSHA workplace protections in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed similar legislation before.
- 2
The California Legislature has voted to expand the salary mandate for healthcare workers statewide, after a hard-fought campaign by labor unions.
- 3
California lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill known as the Delete Act that would allow consumers, with a single request, to have every data broker delete their personal information.
- 4
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been wary about appearing as if he’s siding with labor unions or film studios as the Hollywood strikes continue.
- 5
California lawmakers have passed legislation requiring free condoms in high schools, gender-neutral bathrooms in all schools and an end to some types of suspensions.
- 6
Legislation would give patients and their loved ones a long-sought voice in doctor discipline cases before the Medical Board of California.
- 7
California legislators approved a bill to require pharmacies to report prescription errors. An estimated 5 million potentially life-threatening errors happen each year.
- 8
California lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at combating child sexual abuse material on social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.
- 9
A bill passed by the California Legislature would require employers to provide five days of paid sick leave, up from three. It still requires Gov. Newsom’s signature.
- 10
California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a controversial bill Wednesday to increase penalties for child sex traffickers.
- 11
Businesses would be forced to advertise the true cost of a purchase rather than enticing consumers with a low price, then hitting the buyer with a raft of fees.
- 12
Sacramento lawmakers approved changes to California’s landmark behavioral health law. The measure now goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- 13
California legislators passed a water-saving bill banning the use of drinking water on decorative grass outside businesses and along streets.
- 14
After Twitter layoffs, state lawmakers introduced a bill requiring employers to give workers more notice of mass layoffs and would extend protections to contract workers.
- 15
The bill would require large U.S.-based companies that do business in California to publicly reveal their greenhouse gas emissions.
- 16
California lawmakers have approved Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes. They’ll open by 2024 if OKd by the governor.
- 17
The California Food Safety Act, the first of its kind in the country, aims to make foods in the state safer, banning additives found in some popular snacks.
- 18
Democrats send Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill to restrict who can obtain a concealed-carry permit in California, teeing up a possible Supreme Court fight.
- 19
Gov. Newsom signs bill that repeals 2016 law forbidding the state from spending money on travel to other states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- 20
Under just-passed bill, California employers would have to log violent incidents and train employees on reporting, but a requirement for active shooter training was removed.
- 21
Fast-food companies, under a complex peace accord with labor unions, will pull a referendum off the California ballot that sought to reverse AB 257.
- 22
California lawmakers approved a bill to decriminalize possession and personal use of certain natural psychedelics, including psilocybin, or magic mushrooms.
- 23
A bill passed by the California Legislature would require employers to provide five days of paid sick leave, up from three. It still requires Gov. Newsom’s signature.
- 24
California Senate passed a bill Monday requiring humans behind the wheel of autonomous trucks for at least five years while safety data are collected. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to veto the measure.
- 25
California lawmakers approved legislation to expand a law allowing developers to quickly build housing in cities falling behind on construction goals.
- 26
California Democrats approved a bill on Thursday to add an 11% excise tax on firearms manufacturers and dealers to help fund violence prevention programs and to bolster school safety.
- 27
California lawmakers vote to limit when local governments can count ballots by hand in a move aimed at Shasta County, which had canceled its contract with Dominion.
- 28
Amid culture wars, the California Legislature approves AB 1078, which would fine school boards for banning materials that discuss race or LGBTQ+ issues.
- 29
California legislators vote to ban laws that force landlords to evict tenants based on criminal histories. Such policies can disproportionately affect Black and Latino renters.
- 30
California legislators passed a bill giving water regulators authority to investigate whether some of the state’s oldest water rights are valid.
