This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Which of these 2025 bills will Gavin Newsom sign?
The fate of hundreds of bills recently approved by the Legislature now rests with Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has one month to sign or veto any measures passed in the final days before the session ended Sept. 13.
As his attention turns ever more toward national politics, how might Newsom’s approach change this year? What bill signings will he highlight to the public or bury in a late-night news dump? Could he veto more proposals as he tries to distance himself from contentious liberal policies and chart a more moderate image?
Last year, Newsom vetoed about 18% of nearly 1,000 bills passed in the final days (and nearly 16% of all 1,200 bills passed by the Legislature in 2024). That was already higher than his historical average.
Typically, the governor gives a few reasons for vetoing bills: He deems them bad policy or redundant or calculates that their potential cost threatens to worsen the state’s budget situation. But he also blocks bills because they’re controversial or opposed by powerful special interests.
While the Legislature can override vetoes, it takes a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and Senate, which rarely happens. Governors can also allow bills to become law without their signature, but that doesn’t occur very often, either.
Here are some noteworthy bills CalMatters reporters are tracking. Bookmark this page for updates.
Immigration
Housing
Education
Law enforcement
Climate and environment
Technology
Reparations
Cannabis
-
The brothers have been in prison for more than three decades for the shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills home in August 1989.
-
The decision follows a years-long effort to free Erik and his brother Lyle who are both serving life sentences for the 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents. Lyle Menendez has his hearing Friday.
-
Unite Here Local 11 is already fighting for a $30 minimum wage. Now it's asking Olympics organizers to give $5 billion to new housing and ditch Airbnb.
-
Some City Council members had questions about fire safety but agreed to draft new rules on single staircases to space for apartments in mid-sized buildings.
-
Climate policies could lead to future refinery closures as Californians transition to electric vehicles.
-
A slim majority said Senate Bill 79 would take away the city’s control over housing growth. Other council members said the city is failing to confront the crisis.