Get up to speed fast on Newsom’s last new laws and vetoes
It’s official: Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed and vetoed his last bills as California governor.
Wednesday was the final day for Newsom to weigh in on 1,160 bills that were sent to him by state legislators.
The governor, widely understood to be gearing up for a run for president, wanted the spotlight on some bills more than others. Special attention was paid to placing guardrails on artificial intelligence and standing up to President Donald Trump.
During his first signing ceremony, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, Newsom signed 13 bills that aim to change how children and teens can use social media and AI, including one that prohibits social media companies from giving teens under 16 “addictive” features like infinite scroll, and another that holds companies liable if they fail to protect a child from harm.
In the weeks since then, his team drummed a steady beat of criticism against Trump. In a news release partially titled “THE OPPOSITE OF TRUMP!” he highlighted a new law prohibiting public officials from issuing cryptocurrency meme coins, which Trump did in 2025.
At the finish line Wednesday, he signed bills to ban child marriage, strengthen the state’s ability to rein in big business, and grant tax credits to the collapsing local news industry.
During a news conference for the journalism bill, the governor told reporters he will have considered nearly 8,000 bills during his time in office, and the last batch is making him nostalgic.
“I love this stuff,” he said. “We’ve had more fun devouring even bills that sunset a commission, which, trust me, I didn’t spend a lot of time on before.”
CalMatters has a full rundown here.
Let us know what you think of the bills. Email us at whatmatters@calmatters.org.
