Laws in California: Bills for 2024 signed, rejected by Newsom | List

SACRAMENTO, California – There are only a few days left for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto several bills on his desk.

So far, the governor of California has signed laws banning all plastic bags in grocery stores, improving tenant protections, simplifying housing laws, and more.

However, he rejected some of these proposals, such as a bill that would have made undocumented immigrants eligible for home loans under a government program.

Here's what he's signed so far. He has until September 30 to sign or veto the remaining bills.

The new law signed by Governor Newsom bans all plastic shopping bags.

In California, thin plastic bags were already banned in supermarkets and other stores. However, customers could also buy bags made of thicker plastic that were supposedly reusable and recyclable.

The new measure, passed by state lawmakers last month, would ban all plastic shopping bags starting in 2026.

RELATED TOPIC: California governor signs bill banning all plastic shopping bags in grocery stores

The package of laws signed by Newsom could lead to greater government oversight and new penalties for resisting the construction of housing and homeless shelters.

Supporters said the new laws were critical to creating more housing at all price points and preventing local governments from circumventing state laws.

Cities and counties must plan housing for very low-income people, streamline permitting processes and expand tenant protections. The attorney general can impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 per month on cities and counties if they fail to adopt a state-mandated housing plan, for example.

RELATED TOPICS: Newsom signs bill giving state more power to enforce housing laws

Governor Newsom signed a package of bills to improve accountability, transparency and efficiency in California's housing system. Some of the bills include clarifications on security deposits.

“Landlords will be required to provide some level of proof. When the tenant moves in, they will take photos of the apartment to document the condition,” said Debra Carlton of the California Apartment Association.

Assembly Bill 2747 would require tenants with good rental histories to be considered in their credit scores, and Senate Bill 611 would prohibit landlords from charging their tenants a fee if rent is paid by check.

Another bill, SB 900, allows management companies to take action on problems with utilities such as gas and electricity when a homeowners association does not take action.

Governor Newsom signed three bills to crack down on the use of artificial intelligence to create false images or videos in political ads ahead of the 2024 election.

A new law set to take effect immediately makes it illegal to create and publish election-related deepfakes 120 days before Election Day and 60 days afterward. It also allows courts to stop the distribution of the material and impose civil penalties.

Major social media platforms will also be required to remove the misleading material under a statewide law set to take effect next year. Newsom also signed a law requiring political campaigns to publicly disclose whether they are running ads with AI-altered material.

Governor Newsom signed a bill to protect Hollywood actors and performers from unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.

The new law will allow artists to back out of existing contracts if vague language could allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and image. The law is set to come into force in 2025.

RELATED TOPIC: California governor signs legislation to protect actors from unauthorized use of AI

Governor Newsom signed a law reinstating tough penalties for large-scale theft and burglary crimes that have frustrated voters across the state.

The new law requires prosecutors to again impose harsher penalties for those who damage or destroy property valued at more than $50,000 while committing a crime. A similar law expired in 2018. The new law will expire in 2030.

RELATED TOPICS: Newsom signs bill reinstating tough penalties for flash burglaries

Newsom vetoed bill AB 2586, which would have allowed undocumented students to work on the campus of a public university in California.

In a veto statement, he said the potential consequences of the bill, including potential criminal and civil liability, had prevented him from signing it. He added that the courts would have to examine the legality of this type of policy and the legal theory behind it before proceeding further.

Newsom vetoed bill AB 1840, which would have made undocumented immigrants eligible for loans under a government assistance program for first-time home buyers.

Newsom said he could not sign the bill because there were limited funds available for state housing assistance programs.

The bill faced opposition from Republicans in California and elsewhere who argued the state should prioritize housing assistance for people living in the country legally. Supporters said the law would have improved the quality of life for hard-working families regardless of their immigration status.

Newsom signs legislation affecting security deposits, credit scores and more for renters