{"id":225138,"date":"2025-09-14T03:05:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T03:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/225138\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T03:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T03:05:13","slug":"these-are-the-bills-now-heading-to-gavin-newsoms-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/225138\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the bills now heading to Gavin Newsom\u2019s desk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/author\/yue-yu\/&quot;\" title=\"&quot;Posts\" by=\"\" yue=\"\" stella=\"\" yu=\"\" class=\"&quot;author\" url=\"\" fn=\"\" rel=\"&quot;author&quot;\">Yue Stella Yu<\/a> and <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/author\/jeanne-kuang\/&quot;\" title=\"&quot;Posts\" by=\"\" jeanne=\"\" kuang=\"\" class=\"&quot;author\" url=\"\" fn=\"\" rel=\"&quot;author&quot;\">Jeanne Kuang<\/a>, CalMatters<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"&quot;1200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;800&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/calmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/091225_End-Of-Session_FG_CM_05.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1&quot;\" class=\"&quot;attachment-post-thumbnail\" size-post-thumbnail=\"\" wp-post-image=\"\" alt=\"&quot;A\" side-view=\"\" of=\"\" a=\"\" person=\"\" looking=\"\" at=\"\" papers=\"\" on=\"\" desk=\"\" decoding=\"&quot;async&quot;\"  https:=\"\" \/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tAssemblymember Michelle Rodriguez sits at her desk during a floor session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters<\/p>\n<p>This story was originally published by <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/&quot;\">CalMatters<\/a>. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/subscribe-to-calmatters\/&quot;\">Sign up<\/a> for their newsletters.<\/p>\n<p>Three days before the scheduled end of the legislative session this week, Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/lena-gonzalez-165452&quot;\">Lena Gonzalez <\/a>introduced legislation to limit Los Angeles\u2019 controversial recent \u201cmansion tax\u201d on high-value real estate deals. She backed down just a day later.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe wanted more time,\u201d she said. \u201cWe wanted to do more due diligence \u2026 There were so many other issues on the docket.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The California Legislature slogged through a marathon final week this week, extending its session into Saturday to push through a major <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/environment\/2025\/09\/climate-change-package-legislature\/&quot;\">package of climate and energy policies<\/a>. The Saturday vote was needed because Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/robert-rivas-165041&quot;\">Robert Rivas<\/a> and Senate President Pro Tem <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/mike-mcguire-93&quot;\">Mike McGuire<\/a> didn\u2019t finalize their privately negotiated deal on how to extend the state\u2019s cap-and-trade greenhouse gas emissions program until early Wednesday, past the normal legislative deadline for introducing bills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lobbied heavily by interest groups across the state, the package took up significant energy in the final days of the session.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Leaders also rushed through several Newsom administration budget measures that shield construction for the Los Angeles Olympics from environmental review, prop up struggling child care centers, bolster the state\u2019s ability to recommend immunizations and allocate $70 million in new state general fund spending.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The result? Other measures ran out of time. And, many Democrats were left grumbling about how business gets done on consequential measures \u2014 but they still overwhelmingly approved them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/john-laird-3108&quot;\">John Laird<\/a>, a Santa Cruz Democrat who has served in the Legislature for a combined 11 years, said the week seemed to contain \u201cthe most number of issues that are big issues that have been addressed in the last days of session.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo the extent any of them had already been through the policy committees, that\u2019s great,\u201d he said. \u201cTo the extent they\u2019re seeing sunshine for the first time, then not so great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Assembly Budget Chair <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/jesse-gabriel-160858&quot;\">Jesse Gabriel<\/a>, an Encino Democrat, attributed the time crunch partly to Democrats\u2019 whirlwind weeklong efforts last month to place a congressional redistricting plan on the November ballot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Gabriel said he shares the frustration with the lengthy session. \u201cIt\u2019s a very clear negotiating strategy to drag things out to try to create leverage at the last minute,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to reporters afterward, Rivas said the January wildfires, President Donald Trump\u2019s policies and the state\u2019s structural budget deficit also added to the Legislature\u2019s work this year. But he deemed it\u201cthe most productive year over the past decade,\u201d celebrating the energy and climate deals as well as <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/housing\/2025\/06\/ceqa-urban-development-infill-budget\/&quot;\">a historic rollback of the state\u2019s environmental law<\/a> to clear the way for development.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith unity, with urgency and focus, this Assembly delivered,\u201d he said in a floor speech.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Disputed antisemitism measure goes to governor<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers did approve a series of high-profile measures to fight federal immigration crackdowns, boost transit-oriented housing, rein in the tech industry and expand labor\u2019s reach.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This week, the Legislature OK\u2019d a pair of proposals to <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/newsletter\/immigration-mask-ban-legislature\/&quot;\">ban local, out-of-state and federal law enforcement<\/a> from wearing masks on duty, a reaction to sweeping immigration raids by unidentified agents. They passed a <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/economy\/2025\/09\/gig-worker-union-bill-passes\/&quot;\">labor-championed measure<\/a> to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize, tying it to an industry-friendly measure to lower companies\u2019 insurance costs. They also gave the final greenlight to <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb79&quot;\">Senate Bill 79<\/a>, a controversial measure allowing developers to <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/housing\/2025\/09\/neighborhood-transit-upzoning\/&quot;\">build denser housing near transit<\/a> regardless of local zoning regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In the wee hours of Saturday morning, lawmakers agreed to appropriate $10 million per year toward funding local news. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/2025\/05\/google-california-local-news\/&quot;\">Google has agreed to commit $10 million<\/a> toward the effort as well.<\/p>\n<p>Also heading to Newsom\u2019s desk is a <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab715&quot;\">controversial measure<\/a> that aims to prevent antisemitism in schools. The bill, supported by the legislative Jewish Caucus, was passed following emotional hearings and animated debates. Following the bill\u2019s passage, a few pro-Palestinian protesters began shouting from the Assembly gallery, yelling, \u201cYou will all have blood on your hands\u201d as lawmakers continued their business.<\/p>\n<p>While supporters argue the legislation is necessary to protect Jewish students from discrimination, opponents, including major education associations and the American Civil Liberties Union\u2019s political action arm, argued for months that the proposal risked \u201cweaponizing\u201d public education and censoring Palestinian-related instruction in K-12 schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/091225_End-Of-Session_FG_CM_04-1024x682.jpg&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\/\"\/>People gather in the rotunda of the state Capitol during the end of session in Sacramento on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb7&quot;\">Another bill<\/a> awaiting Newsom\u2019s signature would require human oversight when an employer primarily uses artificial intelligence for disciplinary purposes.<\/p>\n<p>But lawmakers punted multiple tech measures to next year, including a <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab1018&quot;\">proposal to require tests<\/a> of automated decision systems before they can be used in important personnel decisions. This is at least the second time such efforts have stalled, amid strong opposition from business associations and health care providers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>They also <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab1331&quot;\">shelved a measure<\/a> that would have restricted workplace surveillance by public and private employers, a victory for the California Chamber of Commerce.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab1231&quot;\">controversial criminal justice bill<\/a> that drew strong opposition from moderate Democrats failed to advance. The measure would have made low-level felony offenders eligible for diversion programs, allowing them to avoid jail time.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Some Democrats including <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/stephanie-nguyen-120720&quot;\">Stephanie Nguyen<\/a> of Elk Grove, <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/maggy-krell-14941&quot;\">Maggy Krell<\/a> of Sacramento and <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/anamarie-avila-farias-179261&quot;\">Anamarie Avila Farias<\/a> of Concord joined Republicans in opposing the bill.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Property tax limit, environmental rules fall short<\/p>\n<p>The pileup of priorities caused some issues to fall by the wayside.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb423&quot;\">Gonzalez\u2019s bill<\/a> would cap the Los Angeles voter-approved tax on high-value real estate deals, currently 4 to 5.5% of the property\u2019s value, over concerns it\u2019s dampening construction.<\/p>\n<p>The measure sparked opposition from tenants\u2019 advocates, who campaigned for the tax to raise affordable housing funds, and from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which opposes the tax. The bill is written to kneecap an anti-tax ballot initiative the association filed for next fall\u2019s election.<\/p>\n<p>The Long Beach Democrat said she\u2019ll pick up the issue next year, and said she couldn\u2019t meet with all sides this year in part because of the volume of priorities this session.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another issue that remains unresolved: <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/2025\/09\/environment-law-advanced-manufacturing\/&quot;\">How to restore environmental review requirements<\/a> for the construction of certain manufacturing plants \u2014 a priority for environmental justice advocates. Newsom earlier this year strong-armed lawmakers into loosening those reviews, but McGuire and other Democratic leaders promised in June to revisit it this fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But top Democrats failed to agree, angering colleagues. In a mad dash to show their efforts, lawmakers rolled out three last-minute proposals,<strong> <\/strong>but the only one to pass does little to address environmental concerns.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/091225_End-Of-Session_FG_CM_07-1024x682.jpg&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\/\"\/>Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, right, speaks with Assemblymember Chris Ward during an Assembly floor session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters<\/p>\n<p>Rivas called the lack of progress \u201cunfortunate,\u201d and promised to convene a working group next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCertainly it is unacceptable that that work was not completed by the end of session,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/scott-wiener-100936&quot;\">Scott Wiener<\/a>, a San Francisco Democrat who chairs the budget committee, attributed the lack of a deal to a disagreement with the Assembly, and said redistricting took up negotiating time<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had a lot on our plate, and it delayed resolution of some issues,\u201d he said. \u201cThat being said, it\u2019s all happening \u2026 I don\u2019t want to be here on a Saturday, but so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Frustration permeates California Senate<\/p>\n<p>As the session dragged to its conclusion, some lawmakers were ready for new leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Frustrations spilled over Wednesday night in the Senate Budget Committee, when several lawmakers of both parties criticized Newsom\u2019s administration and legislative leaders for asking them to approve millions of dollars of state spending with little notice. The bills had been unveiled the day before, with no time left to amend them.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Several Democrats took issue with how leaders <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb105&quot;\">steered some funds to local projects<\/a> without their input.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/christopher-cabaldon-5699&quot;\">Chris Cabaldon<\/a>, a Napa Democrat, singled out projects in the North Coast that would get funding and said he found \u201cno basis\u201d for why Californians and lawmakers statewide weren\u2019t consulted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are more than just a handful of disadvantaged communities, plus the North Coast, in California,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>McGuire happens to represent that region. Altogether, his district would get upwards of $85\u00a0 million through the bill for environmental, housing, transportation and fire protection projects. That includes about $50 million from the climate bond for the Great Redwood Trail, a plan McGuire has championed to convert 231 miles of old railway into a trail in Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt counties.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cabaldon slammed the \u201cconcentration of decision-making power that has emerged through this process this year.\u201d In an interview, he said he wasn\u2019t blaming anyone specifically, but\u201ceveryone is frustrated\u201d by how the week played out.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/caroline-menjivar-165436&quot;\">Caroline Menjivar<\/a>, a Van Nuys Democrat, was more frank.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe buck stops with the people in charge,\u201d Menjivar said. \u201cHow everything transpired this week left a sour taste in people\u2019s mouths. I don\u2019t think a majority of us would want us to repeat this next year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After being told in the spring that lawmakers needed to cut funding for undocumented immigrants\u2019 health coverage, she was angered not to have gotten the chance to weigh in on new spending, and complained to Senate leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Following all the griping, McGuire announced this week that the Senate was moving up the date that incoming Senate leader Sen. <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/legislators\/monique-limon-13069&quot;\">Monique Lim\u00f3n<\/a> of Santa Barbara would take over, to Nov. 17 instead of in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>CalMatters\u2019 Alexei Koseff and Ben Christopher contributed reporting.<\/p>\n<p>This article was <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/calmatters.org\/politics\/2025\/09\/california-legislature-end-of-session-2\/&quot;\">originally published on CalMatters<\/a> and was republished under the <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/&quot;\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives<\/a> license.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Yue Stella Yu and Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez sits at her desk during a floor&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":225139,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[738,1853,1854,50,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-225138","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-united-states","8":"category-us","9":"tag-artificial-intelligence","10":"tag-california-legislature","11":"tag-gavin-newsom","12":"tag-news","13":"tag-united-states","14":"tag-unitedstates","15":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115200440844436203","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=225138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/225138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/225139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=225138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=225138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}