Ryan Sabalow

California lawmakers spent just a few minutes discussing in public the hundreds of bills they introduced. But these 10 measures had hours of intense debate in 2025.

Rob Reiner may be best known for his Hollywood films, but he was also a Democratic political force in California.

California lawmakers faced a difficult budget year, but they still managed to put hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks in the state budget to benefit their districts — and help them get re-elected.

Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to decide soon if renters can fight eviction if their Social Security checks are disrupted during President Trump’s second term.

California Democrats were split on a proposal that would have extended an eviction grace period for tenants who fall behind on their rent. It’s the latest setback for progressive lawmakers seeking renter protections.

CalMatters found dozens of examples of previously vetoed legislation returning in subsequent years. A twice-killed bill about driverless trucks exemplifies why.

Unions are pushing for shorter freight trains to make railways safer, but that could raise the cost of goods and delay passenger rail service. It also may not be legal.

California lawmakers are rushing to fix last year’s controversial changes to the state’s lemon law, which critics say weakened protections for car buyers.

California public schools will expand alcohol education in 2025 thanks to a new law. The law’s author, Wendy Carrillo, wrote the legislation following her DUI arrest, saying she didn’t want students to make the same mistakes she did.

A new California law imposes harsher penalties for assaulting emergency room workers. It responds to rising attacks on health care workers, despite concerns from progressives and prison-reform advocates

Reflecting concern about too many bills, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas lowered the number legislators are allowed to introduce.

While Democrats retain a supermajority, experts say Republican wins – and an increasingly diverse GOP Caucus – signal potential shifts in voter sentiment among non white voters