SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed 26 new bills into California law, addressing a wide range of issues across the state.

New legislation aims to tackle some of California’s most pressing challenges, from high living costs and limited housing supply to access to health care.

Here’s a breakdown of the new California laws and when they’re set to take effect:

New California laws aim to increase home construction, lower costs

In June, Newsom approved two new laws aimed at building more homes and making housing more affordable.

As part of the 2025-26 state budget, these measures — Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 131 — aim to make it faster and cheaper to build housing and infrastructure in California.

“This isn’t just a budget. This is a budget that builds,” Newsom said about the bills in a June 30 news release. “It proves what’s possible when we govern with urgency, with clarity and with a belief in abundance over scarcity.”

Assembly Bill 130 locks in several housing rules that were previously temporary, such as limiting the number of public hearings on a project, setting deadlines for project approvals and protecting developers from changes to local rules after they’ve submitted their applications.

Senate Bill 131 updates the state’s environmental review process by creating exemptions for certain housing projects.

To qualify, developments must avoid historic sites, hazardous land and environmentally sensitive areas. They must also match local planning guidelines, meet affordable housing requirements and follow labor and safety standards.

Overall, the goals of these new laws are to remove housing barriers, cut costs and speed up the building process across California.

The laws went into effect immediately after being signed on June 30.

Changes to health care, consumer privacy and state workers

Assembly Bill 116 makes several updates to California’s health care laws.

It includes changes to Medi‑Cal health insurance eligibility, premiums and other programs.

Some parts went into effect on July 1, such as health coverage for infertility treatments, while others — including funding related to the Department of Health Care Access and Information — will take effect through 2026 and 2030 depending on the provisions.

Assembly Bill 137 sets up new government funds and grants focused on consumer privacy.

The bill’s uses include educating children about online safety, enforcing data protections and supporting law enforcement responses to data breaches.

This law went into effect right after being signed into the 2025 budget package on June 30.

Senate Bill 129 implements labor‑related rules tied to the 2025–26 budget.

The bill covers budget funding and retirement system changes for state workers, including permanent and temporary disability leave.

This bill will go into effect on Oct. 1.

Senate Bill 139 finalizes labor agreements for state workers in Bargaining Unit 9 from July 1 through June 30, 2028, and Unit 12 through June 30, 2027.

Under these deals, employees take a 3% pay cut but get five hours of paid leave each month in return.

The law took effect on June 30.

Senate Bill 140 covers similar labor agreements for Bargaining Unit 6.

These contracts run from July 3 through July 2, 2028, and ensure workers keep getting their pay, benefits and other contract terms even if the next state budget is delayed.

This law also went into effect on June 30.

Assembly Bill 104 adjusts statewide budget spending.

This new bill makes changes to that budget by adding, removing or updating funding for certain programs.

It took effect immediately after being signed by Newsom on July 29.

Assembly Bill 138 approves labor agreements between the state of California and various state worker bargaining units.

The new law confirms those contracts and includes financial provisions — but only if the legislature sets aside the money. If funding isn’t approved, either side can go back to negotiations.

This law will take effect on July 1, 2027.

Senate Bill 119 updates regulations and funding related to public social services.

The bill implements key changes tied to public social services — including updates to welfare and family-related programs — as part of the 2025 budget.

This law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Here are 16 other laws signed by Newsom, along with when they take effect:

•Assembly Bill 17 — On Jan. 1, the law requires county election offices to post updated precinct maps online.

•Assembly Bill 377 — On May 1, the law updates the High-Speed Rail Authority’s business plan to focus on the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment.

•Assembly Bill 379 — On Jan. 1, the law makes changes to prostitution laws, including enforcement provisions.

•Assembly Bill 642 — The law lets school employees share unused sick leave with coworkers during a governor-declared emergency. It went into effect after being signed on July 30.

•Assembly Bill 951 — On Jan. 1, the law requires health plans to cover more behavioral health diagnoses.

•Assembly Bill 1029 — Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the law expands financial disclosure rules to include digital assets including cryptocurrency.

•Assembly Bill 1051 — Starting on Jan. 1, the law officially names part of Route 76 as the Payómkawish Highway.

•Assemby Bill 1114 — Beginning Jan. 1, the law waives certain tolls and fees for emergency vehicles.

•Assembly Bill 1216 — On Jan. 1, the law makes various updates to kindergarten through 12th grade education laws.

•Assembly Bill 1459 — After being signed into law on July 30, the law changes rules for hazardous waste in underground storage tanks.

•Senate Bill 251 — After being signed into law on July 30, the law allocates state funds to settle certain claims against the government.

•Senate Bill 428— Beginning Jan. 1, the law makes the State Auditor’s Office permanent.

•Senate Bill 521 — Starting on Jan. 1. the law expands the list of offenses that can bar someone from public employment.

•Senate Bill 648 — The law strengthens enforcement of laws requiring employers to pass on tips to workers. It will go into effect on Jan. 1.

•Senate Bill 652 — The law will take effect on Jan. 1 and will update training standards for security guards.

•Senate Bill 693 — After being signed into law on July 30, the bill immediately changes rules for employee meal breaks.

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