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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
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A new study finds promising early results from a program that tries to find and assist those most at risk of becoming unhoused.
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The L.A. Fire Department said the tunnel workers had been isolated by a "collapse" in an industrial tunnel for a wastewater treatment facility in the Harbor-area neighborhood of Wilmington.
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An analysis of videos capturing ICE enforcement across L.A.
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The program started last year. It's one of the only treatment options available for unhoused Angelenos addicted to stimulants, including methamphetamine, experts say.
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People living in the West L.A. community requested the cameras because of recent home burglaries and calls for more safety measures.
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Local officials say the display was an overreach by the federal government.