California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of bipartisan bills aimed at increasing consumer protections and reducing costs for families across the state. The new legislation follows previous efforts that included up to $60 billion in electricity bill refunds for California households.
According to Governor Newsom, “California is hard at work to help make your life more affordable. While the Trump administration’s policies increase prices and make it more difficult to get by, California is passing laws to help eliminate unnecessary fees and add-ons cost time and money. As President Trump and Congress shut down the government and leave on vacation, California is continuing to work for you.”
The new laws target several issues that affect everyday life in California. They include measures designed to eliminate certain fees, strengthen transparency in car buying, protect tenants and homeowners, improve rental car price clarity, safeguard small business financial services, and expand state oversight over financial practices.
Among the key changes:
– AB 578 allows consumers easier access to refunds when food delivery platforms fail.
– SB 766 seeks greater transparency in car sales by restricting unnecessary add-on services.
– AB 325 brings pricing algorithms under state antitrust law.
– AB 1327 modernizes contract cancellation options for home improvement services.
– Several bills (AB 628, AB 246, AB 391, AB 414, AB 806, AB 863) enhance tenant protections related to habitability standards, eviction processes tied to Social Security benefits delays or reductions, electronic notices for mobilehome parks, security deposit returns via electronic means if chosen by tenants, installation of air conditioning in mobilehomes, and improved language access during evictions.
– AB 1374 increases online rental car price transparency and clarifies whether vehicles are gas-powered or electric.
– SB 362 requires accurate information from financing providers serving small businesses.
– SB 825 gives the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation expanded authority against misconduct in financial services.
Governor Newsom said these actions continue his administration’s focus on affordability through various programs such as expanding affordable childcare, implementing free universal preschool (TK), offering free school meals and summer school programs statewide, tuition-free community college options, universal college savings accounts for children, as well as broader Paid Family Leave coverage.
A full list of bills signed includes measures addressing tenant rights (AB 246), antitrust violations (AB 325), communications access (AB 1303), dispute resolution provisions (SB 82), county recorder notifications (SB 255), self-service storage facility disclosures (SB 709), among others.
The Governor emphasized: “California is continuing to stand up for consumers by banning unnecessary fees and eliminating practices that contribute to growing costs and hassles for families.”
