Politics & Government
What Bills Did Gavin Newsom Sign Into Law — Or Veto — In His Final Year Leading California?
California lawmakers sent Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills in his final months as governor.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is signing and vetoeing his last bills as California governor.
Wednesday is the final day for Newsom to weigh in on 1,160 bills that were sent to him by state legislators.
The governor, widely understood to be gearing up for a run for president, wanted the spotlight on some bills more than others. Special attention was paid to placing guardrails on artificial intelligence and standing up to President Donald Trump.
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During his first signing ceremony, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, Newsom signed 13 bills that aim to change how children and teens can use social media and AI, including one that prohibits social media companies from giving teens under 16 “addictive” features like infinite scroll, and another that holds companies liable if they fail to protect a child from harm.
“Parents can’t compete,” he said. “Can’t compete with the engineering, can’t compete with the algorithms, can’t compete.”
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In the weeks since then, his team drummed a steady beat of criticism against Trump. In a news release partially titled “THE OPPOSITE OF TRUMP!” he highlighted a new law prohibiting public officials from issuing cryptocurrency meme coins, which Trump did in 2025.
At the finish line Wednesday, he signed bills to ban child marriage, strengthen the state’s ability to rein in big business, and grant tax credits to the collapsing local news industry.
During a news conference for the journalism bill, the governor told reporters he will have considered nearly 8,000 bills during his time in office, and the last batch is making him nostalgic.
“I love this stuff,” he said. “We’ve had more fun devouring even bills that sunset a commission, which, trust me, I didn’t spend a lot of time on before.”
Here’s a look at some of his final bill signings and vetoes.
Data centers and technology
Legislators and the governor showed a more robust appetite for regulating technology in 2026. Take data centers: After vetoing a water disclosure bill and signing a stripped down environmental study last year, Newsom ate from the entire regulatory buffet this year, enacting no fewer than seven laws to keep data centers from inflating electric bills and harming the environment.
Newsom clamps down on California data centers as voters turn against the industry
September 21, 2026September 21, 2026
California enacts laws restricting chatbots and banning teens from ‘addictive’ social media
September 10, 2026September 10, 2026
Newsom signed 13 new laws to protect kids from technology. Will they work?
September 11, 2026
Justice and gun control
Newsom signed laws to bolster DUI laws following a CalMatters investigation, as well as measures that require firearm owners to take safety classes and exempt certain seniors from jury duty.
Newsom signs 4 new California DUI laws. Advocates want more next session
September 25, 2026
Newsom signs two laws to address weaknesses in California’s public defense
September 28, 2026September 28, 2026
Newsom signs new gun control laws, including one requiring owners to take a 4-hour class
September 27, 2026September 27, 2026
Newsom signs law to let these Californians get out of jury duty — for good
September 15, 2026September 15, 2026
California bans child marriage after 9-year fight to outlaw the practice
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
California restricts parole for sex offenders after near-release of 2 convicted of molestation
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
Economy
California Democrats were torn between adopting policies that would make the state more affordable and bills that aimed to regulate the massive companies that dominate the economy.
Newsom signs anti-monopoly bill after bruising legislative battle
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
New California law targets expensive ‘ghost tickets’ to concerts and sporting events
September 27, 2026September 29, 2026
A new California law will prohibit sales of disposable vapes. Here’s why
September 30, 2026
Newsom signs first-in-the-nation law to bolster struggling local news organizations
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
Elections
Newsom signed a number of laws that originated from Democrats’ concern that the Trump administration would interfere with California elections by limiting vote-by-mail or discouraging people from voting.
Newsom signs voting laws to counter Trump’s feared interference
September 21, 2026
Immigration
Democratic leaders passed a wave of laws to disrupt the Trump administration’s deportation campaign, including measures that empower people to sue federal agents over alleged civil rights violations and extend the state’s power to investigate conditions in detention centers.
Newsom signs new laws to rein in immigration agents as Trump’s deportation campaign escalates
September 29, 2026September 29, 2026
Data from 911 calls at ICE detention centers must be disclosed under new California law
September 29, 2026September 29, 2026
Newsom again vetoes bill to allow undocumented college students to work on campus
September 20, 2026September 20, 2026
Insurance
California’s insurance crisis shaped several proposals that went to Newsom. He signed one bill into law that imposes some additional responsiveness requirements on insurers, but vetoed two others put forth by fire survivor groups that would add additional transparency and penalties.
New California law sets first-in-nation standards for smoke damage in homes
September 15, 2026September 15, 2026
Newsom vetoes insurance-claim bills: Is it ‘petty’ politics?
September 29, 2026
Education
Newsom faced decisions on bill meant to give schools some financial relief from sexual assault lawsuits and to increase the number of 4-year degree programs in community colleges.
READ NEXT
School sex abuse bill going to Newsom. Will he sign the ‘hard-won’ compromise?
August 30, 2026August 31, 2026
Schools were confused about K-12 arts funding. A new law adds clarity
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
California community colleges can offer up to 12 new bachelor’s degrees under laws Newsom signed
September 20, 2026September 20, 2026
California’s math scores are abysmal. Is it time to screen kindergartners for basic math skills?
April 28, 2026April 28, 2026
Abortion pills to be offered at California community college health centers under new law
September 30, 2026September 30, 2026
Environment
On environmental bills, Newsom’s record suggests he put economic growth, his own prior policy choices, and executive control over spending ahead of expanding protections.
READ NEXT
Newsom sides with industry, vetoes bill on factories near homes and schools
September 21, 2026September 22, 2026
Newsom vetoes Delta levees bill as El Niño winter looms
September 29, 2026September 29, 2026
New law tightens rules on explosive chemicals after Garden Grove scare
September 28, 2026September 29, 2026
California to buy defunct horse track and turn it into the Bay Area’s newest public park
September 1, 2026
In standoff with Newsom, California Democrats claw back $450 million for climate projects
September 2, 2026
Pensions and public employees
Newsom took a hard line against public employee unions that sought to gain wins for their members in the Legislature. He vetoed bills that would have allowed more state employees to work from home and boosted retirement benefits for first responders.
READ NEXT
Newsom cites pension crisis as he vetoes bill to enhance retirement for police and firefighters
September 20, 2026September 21, 2026
Newsom vetoes bill to loosen work-from-home rules for state workers
September 18, 2026September 18, 2026
Cal Fire firefighters stand to gain significant raise under law Newsom just signed
September 28, 2026September 29, 2026
They fought wildfires while serving time. A new law gives them a shot at Cal Fire jobs
September 28, 2026September 28, 2026
Homelessness
Sacramento will now try a new regional approach to homelessness thanks to a new law. Meanwhile, state money can now be used for sober housing, and small tweaks were signed into law for CARE Court, Newsom’s signature attempt to get the sickest Californians on the street into mental health care.
READ NEXT
Cities often squabble over homelessness. A new California law forces one community to try something different
September 24, 2026
New California law frees up funds for sober homeless housing
September 29, 2026September 29, 2026
New laws make incremental tweaks to California’s mental health court, while bigger changes nixed
September 29, 2026September 29, 2026
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