[REVISION HISTORY]

California legislative and executive actions

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-03 01:14 UTC → 2026-10-03 14:49 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed several legislative measures in California addressing diverse state issues. To support the declining local media industry, Assembly Bill 2222 establishes refundable tax credits for qualifying news organizations. ~~Recent updates indicate these~~ Under the enacted law, starting in 2027, eligible digital, print, and broadcast outlets can claim $20,000 in annual tax credits ~~may offer up to $35,000 per~~ for each of their first five full-time journalists. For every additional full-time professional hired, the credit increases by $15,000. The legislation also provides a $7,500 credit for part-time employees and an additional $15,000 credit for each full-time position ~~under certain conditions.~~ that results in a net increase in staff compared to the previous year. Newsom noted the measure aims to combat misinformation and the decline of local reporting, stating that the loss of local journalism often allows partisan organizations to fill the void. To qualify, organizations must meet specific editorial standards, including public disclosure of ownership and a clear policy for error corrections. In science and health, Newsom signed a bill to place a $7.5 billion bond measure on the March 2028 ballot. This would fund the California Foundation for Science and Health Research, an agency designed to provide grants and loans for public health, climate science, and agriculture, potentially insulating state research from federal political shifts. New developments in criminal justice and public safety include the signing of five bills sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. These laws are intended to target labor traffickers, corporate polluters, and intoxicated drivers, while also providing tools to investigate post-conviction innocence claims and protecting rescued animals. Other recent actions include the signing of new e-bike laws that implement stricter labeling and allow for local bans on children under 12 in certain jurisdictions. Newsom also issued an executive order to ensure the term ‘Artificial Intelligence’ remains the official designation in California. However, the administration continues to face challenges, including scrutiny over CARE Court mental health program data and a lawsuit from medical associations and insurers regarding a new healthcare tax.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.