Cannabis cafes and expanded outdoor drinking? An end to a banking fee? More protections for your credit score if you face medical debt? These are among the roughly 1,000 new laws hitting California starting the first day of 2025.
If that sounds like a lot, it could have been much more: California lawmakers introduced nearly 5,000 bills in the most recent legislative session ending this fall, a two-year period that saw nearly half die without a single vote.
In all, lawmakers passed about 1,200 bills in 2024 and Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed 200 of those. And that’s the bureaucratic funnel in a nutshell.
Most of these incoming laws are technical, fix previous laws or are narrow in scope. But there are some that affect lots of Californians, or are just plain interesting.
There are the consumer finance protection laws, numerous education-related laws — including one to expand alcohol education that was written by a former lawmaker arrested for a DUI — as well as a law banning local voter ID rules and another granting a few more days to fight an eviction. Paris Hilton makes a cameo, too.
Here are some noteworthy laws taking effect in 2025, courtesy of CalMatters and Merced FOCUS staff:
New law will help more doctors from Mexico practice in California
California stiffened penalties for theft — and more changes are coming
Most medical debt can no longer hurt your credit score under new California law
A new California law bans your boss from ordering you to attend anti-union meetings
Emergency room workers are facing more attacks. A new California law increases penalties
Cannabis cafes and entertainment zones among new laws for 2025
Troubled California teens gain protections under a new law championed by Paris Hilton
California’s lemon law is changing and car buyers have fewer protections in the new year
New law could help tenants facing eviction stay in their homes
California bans schools from forcing teachers to ‘out’ LGBTQ students
New California voter ID ban puts conservative cities at odds with state
California limits junk fees: New law blocks fines for declined ATM withdrawals
Emergency room workers are facing more attacks. A new California law increases penalties
New law inspired by ex-lawmaker’s DUI adds to alcohol education in California schools