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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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The light rail project, which had been planned for 2021, could see its first riders early next year.
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Does that star-spangled banner yet wave? You bet it does, when a group of K-town retirees perform the national anthem before a Kings game.
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Laura Rubio-Cornejo, the city of L.A.'s general manager for the transportation department, said the proposed cuts could jeopardize revenue generated by parking enforcement and implementation of Measure HLA and Vision Zero.
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The new LAX/Metro Transit Center station will open in June. But a direct connection with the airport won’t be ready until next year.
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Say goodbye to the 9ZZZ999 format. Sometime next year, California drivers will start receiving license plates with a reversed configuration.
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Each citation in the city of L.A. comes with a $293 penalty.