Newsom’s Final California Bills Included Vetoes and New Laws

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s closing round of bill decisions covered 1,160 measures sent by state legislators, with Wednesday marking his deadline to act. He said that across his time in office, he will have reviewed nearly 8,000 proposals. Among the final approvals were measures ending child marriage, expanding California’s tools for overseeing large businesses and providing tax credits for the struggling local news industry.

Technology and family protections were a major focus. Newsom approved 13 measures governing young people’s use of social media and artificial intelligence. One bars platforms from offering features such as infinite scrolling to users younger than 16, while another can make companies responsible when they do not shield a child from harm. He also enacted at least seven data-center laws addressing environmental effects and the risk that such facilities could raise electricity bills. Other signed measures strengthened DUI rules, required gun owners to complete safety instruction and excused some seniors from jury service.

Newsom approved election measures prompted by concerns that the Trump administration might restrict voting by mail or deter participation. Other new laws let individuals pursue civil claims against federal officers accused of violating their rights and broaden California’s authority to examine detention-center conditions. On insurance, he required greater responsiveness from insurers but rejected two proposals from fire survivor groups concerning disclosure and penalties. He also vetoed union-backed measures that would have expanded remote work for state employees and increased first-responder retirement benefits. Additional laws establish a regional homelessness strategy in Sacramento, allow state funding for sober housing and make limited changes to CARE Court, which seeks mental health care for the most seriously ill Californians living on the street.