POLITICO • 29th August 2024

California lawmakers seek to address health equity as part of reparations

While much of the conversation surrounding California’s reparations proposal this year has been over funding, a pair of bills related to health equity originally included in the 14-bill package are now on track to pass the Legislature.

POLITICO • 21st August 2024

California proposal seeks to aid undocumented immigrants in purchasing homes

California launched a program last year to help first-time homebuyers secure loans toward a purchase, but uncertainty over whether undocumented immigrants are eligible is prompting follow-up legislation to ensure they are included.

POLITICO • 14th August 2024

California measure aims to resolve longstanding, expensive dispute over gambling rights

A dispute over gambling rights in California has led to an expensive battle between tribal casinos and card rooms that could change the way the multibillion dollar industry operates.

POLITICO • 6th August 2024

Harrowed by fentanyl crisis, California lawmakers seek to stop ‘tranq’ in its tracks

With the fentanyl crisis continuing to spiral across California and the nation, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers want to stop another potent drug before it reaches a similar trajectory.

POLITICO • 29th July 2024

California attorney general seeks to help parents shield kids from social media

A pair of proposals backed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta aiming to protect children from the harms of social media are advancing with bipartisan support through the state Legislature.

POLITICO • 22nd July 2024

Trump assassination attempt spotlights California campaign security proposal

California lawmakers are pushing a proposal to remove a cap on security-related campaign expenditures following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

POLITICO • 16th July 2024

California outlaws parent notification policies over students’ gender

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a California bill that explicitly bans policies requiring schools to inform parents of their child’s gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression into law Monday. It saw contentious debate as it passed the Legislature in June, mirroring national conversations over attacks on the LBGTQ+ community, parental rights and the role that schools should play.

POLITICO • 9th July 2024

California reforms worker protection law after labor, business deal removes ballot measure

Labor and business interests in California came together last month to strike a deal to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which allows for aggrieved workers to sue employers on behalf of the state over allegations such as failing to provide breaks or improper overtime calculations but has been criticized as driving undue litigation.

POLITICO • 2nd July 2024

California to again consider proposal to streamline youth mental health care

California law requires public and private health care providers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, but frustrations over denied claims has advocates pushing a follow-up bill from the landmark 2020 measure.

POLITICO • 26th June 2024

California poised to consider banning smartphones in schools with Newsom’s backing

California could be the latest state to ban smartphones in schools after Gov. Gavin Newsom came out strongly in favor of curbing the devices on campus.

POLITICO • 13th June 2024

California among several states considering ban on legacy admissions

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education reignited conversations over the practice of legacy admissions — when schools give preferential treatment to applicants whose family members attended the university.

POLITICO • 11th June 2024

Bad blood: California Legislature’s proposals targeting ticketing industry face tough battle

The rush — and subsequent debacle — over tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has inspired multiple pieces of legislation in California aimed at clamping down on the parties that people claim are responsible, such as primary ticket sellers like Ticketmaster and the secondary market.

POLITICO • 30th May 2024

California law gives Arizona abortion seekers temporary workaround to near-total ban

Following the Arizona Supreme Court ruling banning nearly all abortions in the state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a law to temporarily allow Arizona doctors to perform abortions in California until a repeal of the 1864 law takes effect.

POLITICO • 21st May 2024

Newsom’s legislative proposal to build low-income housing in California faces funding concerns

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s legislative push to require California cities to plan more housing for people experiencing homelessness is moving quickly in Sacramento — but it still faces opposition from cities and counties, along with questions about funding.

POLITICO • 15th May 2024

California to consider cannabis cafes (again) with health organizations lined up in opposition

While cannabis consumption lounges have been legal in California since Proposition 64 passed in 2016, legalizing marijuana, businesses have been limited in what they can offer in the spaces — namely, they’ve been prohibited from preparing food and beverages and hosting live events in their venues.

POLITICO • 8th May 2024

Ahead of first ‘AI election,’ California lawmakers push to limit technology’s influence

As the possibility of disruption from artificial intelligence continues to linger across many sectors, California lawmakers are looking to take preemptive measures to ensure the technology doesn’t affect elections.

POLITICO • 24th April 2024

Climate offset proposal returns in California, with opponents taking notice

A first-in-the-nation effort in California to regulate the voluntary carbon offset industry sailed through the Legislature last year with no opposition — only to be vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Now, a second attempt by Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) is drawing scores of pushback amid what she says are rapid changes happening in the climate space.

POLITICO • 23rd April 2024

California Legislature aims to begin shrinking large deficit with early action budget cuts

Faced with a budget deficit of between $38 billion and $73 billion, depending on the estimate, the California Legislature passed an “early action” budget bill to shave $17.3 billion off the figure.

POLITICO • 5th April 2024

California to consider regulating AI algorithm bias again — with even higher stakes

Last year, California lawmakers attempted to establish greater regulations around companies using artificial intelligence — but they were unsuccessful amid broad industry opposition. Now that the bill is in its second iteration, the conversation around the technology has grown more expansive and a couple of industry stakeholders are working to advance the legislation.

POLITICO • 2nd April 2024

California reparations proposals could start with agency for implementation

California lawmakers are in the early stages of their push for reparations proposals, and are attempting to set up a framework for potential restitution in the form of compensation, grants and other assistance.