With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support 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
-
Empty nesters own more L.A. homes than millennials with kids. Here’s how some older homeowners are finding ways to spread their wealth.
-
The severe lack of family friendly housing has millennial parents asking: Is leaving Southern California our only option?
-
Incumbent George Gascón faces a more conservative challenger, Nathan Hochman, on the November ballot. The race could drive passions and fundraising on the part of advocates for more reforms and backers of law and order policies.
-
The music will live on through the nonprofit Conga Kids.
-
Wildflower season is juuuuust starting to hit its stride here in Southern California. So we put together a guide to help you get out there.
-
Health officials estimate more than 685,000 people in L.A. County have latent tuberculosis, where they aren't sick and are not contagious. One in 10 develop active tuberculosis, with symptoms. Both stages are curable with antibiotics. But it's best to catch it early.