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Get up to speed fast on these new California laws taking effect in 2025
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Illustration by Adriana Heldiz/CalMatters
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iStock
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Cannabis cafes and expanded outdoor drinking? An end to a banking fee? More protections for your credit score if you face medical debt? These are among the roughly 1,000 new laws hitting California starting the first day of 2025.
If that sounds like a lot, it could have been much more: California lawmakers introduced nearly 5,000 bills in the most recent legislative session ending this fall, a two-year period that saw nearly half die without a single vote.
In all, lawmakers passed about 1,200 bills in 2024 and Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed 200 of those. And that’s the bureaucratic funnel in a nutshell.
Most of these incoming laws are technical, fix previous laws or are narrow in scope. But there are some that affect lots of Californians, or are just plain interesting.
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Most of the targets are U.N.-related agencies, commissions and advisory panels that focus on climate, labor and other issues.
There are the consumer finance protection laws, numerous education-related laws — including one to expand alcohol education that was written by a former lawmaker arrested for a DUI — as well as a law banning local voter ID rules and another granting a few more days to fight an eviction. Paris Hilton makes a cameo, too.
CalMatters reporters describe some of the noteworthy laws taking effect Jan. 1. Dive in to stay informed about the changes that matter to you — and keep coming back as we add more stories about new laws before 2024 rides off into the California sunset.
- Cannabis cafes and entertainment zones among new laws for 2025
- A new California law bans your boss from ordering you to attend anti-union meetings
- Troubled California teens gain protections under a new law championed by Paris Hilton
- California’s lemon law is changing and car buyers have fewer protections in the new year
- New law could help tenants facing eviction stay in their homes
- California bans schools from forcing teachers to ‘out’ LGBTQ students
- New California voter ID ban puts conservative cities at odds with state
- California limits junk fees: New law blocks fines for declined ATM withdrawals
- Most medical debt can no longer hurt your credit score under new California law
- California stiffened penalties for theft — and more changes are coming
- Emergency room workers are facing more attacks. A new California law increases penalties
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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