Californians over age 80 will be able to get a permanent exemption from jury duty under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed.
StateWatch
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California enacts laws restricting chatbots and banning teens from ‘addictive’ social media
California teens will be barred from “addictive” social media products and limited in their interactions with chatbots under two of the 13 bills signed into law Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect kids online.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California’s healthcare affordability office claims power to punish overspending hospitals
New penalties can fine California hospitals and insurers up to 125% of their overspending, with enforcement starting as early as 2028. Hospital executives argue that much of their spending, like drug costs and labor, is outside their control.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Legislature kills bill regulating Flock cameras even as public rage grows
The California Legislature has failed several times since 2022 to regulate technology for automatically tracking vehicles — even as examples of abuse mount. This year was no exception.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Defense tech has unleashed a new weapons boom in Southern California
An analysis of defense contracts by CalMatters and The Markup charts the rise of defense spending in Southern California — often in heavily Democratic districts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why a bill to juice condo construction died even though California lawmakers voted for it
Supporters said a condo construction bill was a key to unlocking the type of naturally affordable for-sale housing that California desperately needs. But deadlines matter.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Assembly backs off voting on bill that would aid wildfire victims
The California Assembly opted not to vote Tuesday on legislation meant to help wildfire victims, deciding at the last minute to push back a decision on a bill that some Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, said wouldn’t meaningfully address the financial challenges caused by catastrophic blazes.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Will Newsom let immigrant college students without legal status work at their campuses?
It’s been a four-year battle to allow students without legal status to work at California’s public colleges. The Legislature passed another bill to allow this. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it the previous time. What will he do now?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it
The public has turned against data centers, prompting a flood of legislation in California. Business interests are trying to blunt the backlash.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With clock ticking, California lawmakers reject key parts of Newsom’s wildfire plan
Gov. Gavin Newsom is rushing a plan to provide financial relief to utilities facing massive lawsuit payouts because of California wildfires. Some lawmakers are fighting it.
