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New California Laws Effective 2026


It was a very busy legislative year for California politicians. There are approximately 900 new laws taking effect on January 01, 2026. In case you're curious, the number of laws that legislators actively rescinded or repealed in the last legislative year -- its zero. There were several laws that had a sunset provision and were, in effect expiring, but nowhere near the 900 new ones that have been added.


For this article we've tried to highlight the top 10 laws that attracted the most backlash from California citizens and the minority law makers. This list was assembled based on public debate, unusual specificity, overreach in regulation, or clashes with federal policies and civil liberties. They have been selected for their mix of niche mandates (sometimes bordering on the ridiculous) and hot-button issues like housing, health, and rights (controversial). Each includes a brief description of why it fits.


  1. SB 1053: Complete Ban on Plastic Bags at Grocery Stores Expands the existing ban to eliminate all single-use plastic carryout bags, forcing stores to offer only recycled paper bags (with a minimum 10-cent charge) or reusable options. Ridiculous for micromanaging shopping habits; controversial due to consumer inconvenience and environmental enforcement debates. Many citizen groups have declared it to be a de facto tax. The fees collected largely stay with the stores. Some local jurisdictions collect a part of this fee to help deal with recycling efforts.

  2. AB 1053: Mandatory Folic Acid in Corn Tortillas and Masa Products Requires manufacturers to add folic acid to corn masa flour and tortillas to prevent birth defects, targeting Latino communities with exemptions for small businesses. Ridiculous for government dictating recipe changes to everyday foods; unusual and potentially controversial as a targeted health intervention.

  3. SB 627: Prohibition on Face Masks for Law Enforcement Officers Bans federal and local law enforcement from wearing face coverings during duties, with requirements for agencies to post anti-masking policies. Ridiculous in a post-pandemic world; highly controversial, facing legal challenges from the Trump administration as overreach into federal operations.

  4. SB 43: Expanded Criteria for Involuntary Mental Health Treatment Redefines "grave disability" to include inability to provide for personal safety or medical care due to mental illness or substance use, broadening conservator ships and detentions. Controversial for potential civil liberties violations and expanding forced treatment.

  5. AB 1825: Ban on Book Censorship in Libraries and Schools Prohibits public libraries (including school ones) from restricting or banning books based on content, author, or viewpoint, allowing minors access to non-obscene materials on sex or gender. Ridiculous for overriding local content decisions; controversial amid national debates over book bans and parental rights. Citizens fear that this law will preclude them from getting sexual themed books on LGBTQ ideology or gender identity issues.

  6. SB 79: Override of Local Zoning for High-Density Housing Near Transit Mandates cities and counties to allow denser developments (up to 9 stories) near transit hubs, bypassing local zoning rules in certain areas. Controversial for eroding local control and fueling NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) backlash.

  7. AB 1264: Ban on Ultra-Processed Foods in Public Schools Phases out the most harmful ultra-processed foods (like certain snacks and meals) from school cafeterias by 2035, aiming for healthier options. Controversial for state-level food policing in lunches; unusual as a first-in-the-nation policy, sparking debates on feasibility and over regulation.

  8. SB 729: Mandated Coverage for Infertility Treatments Including IVF Requires large employer health plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatments like IVF, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Controversial for expanding access in ways that challenge traditional family definitions and increase insurance costs. It may drive more insurers out of the state.

  9. SB 760: Requirement for Gender-Neutral Bathrooms in K-12 Schools Mandates at least one all-gender restroom per public school site starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Controversial in ongoing gender identity debates, seen by some as unnecessary or privacy-invading.

  10. AB 3216: Mandatory Policies to Limit Student Phone Use in Schools Requires all public K-12 schools to adopt rules prohibiting or restricting smartphone use during school hours by July 1, 2026. Ridiculous for enforcing "phone-free" zones in a tech-saturated world; controversial among parents and students over enforcement and educational impact.


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