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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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Irvine city officials are set to discuss the controversial new project at the next Great Park board meeting.
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Muralist David Botello is now working to get his artwork restored.
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She will remain on parole until May 2026.
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Heal the Bay’s annual beach report card just came out, and the water at the Santa Monica Pier is once again some of the dirtiest along the West Coast.
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CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal insurer, is looking into what led to the collapse of a lucrative deal to open a health center to serve elderly Vietnamese-speaking people in Westminster.
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LAist investigates illicit dumping at three Antelope Valley sites.