California lawmakers passed some precedent-setting climate and environment bills before the clock ran out Thursday, Sept. 14 on the 2023 legislative session.

“All in all, the legislature did some good work, and the governor has some important bills to sign,” said Christina Scaringe, a legislative specialist with the Center for Biological Diversity, when asked to look back over the session.

Update: Governor Newsom signed NRDC's priority bills! See specific actions below. 

AB 1572 (Friedman) to prohibit the use of California’s treated drinking water for irrigation of decorative grass landscapes (nonfunctional turf) located on commercial, industrial, municipal, and institutional properties in stages through 2031. Signed   

Supporters now play a waiting game to see if AB 645 is signed into law by the governor.

The California Legislature finished its 2023 session late Thursday night, but not before lots of lobbying by advocacy groups, some controversy and quite a bit of last-minute deal-making.

A bill that would introduce speed safety cameras in six California cities, including Los Angeles, Long Beach and Glendale, is now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature or veto.

AB-645, which passed in both houses of the State Legislature this week, would allow speed cameras to be installed in school zones and in areas where people are prone to speeding.

California lawmakers have approved several bills that could make roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists in Oakland.

The year’s legislative session concluded Thursday with bills that address speeding enforcement, visibility at intersections, and a law that permits the use of bikes on sidewalks. 

If signed by Gov. Newsom, Assembly Bill 1399 will remove unnecessary barriers that restrict access to virtual veterinary care in the Golden State

It’s crunch time in Sacramento as state Senate and Assembly members reach this year’s legislative deadline tonight.

At that point, anything not passed is dead and bills approved by lawmakers head to Gov. Gavin Newsom to be signed into law or vetoed.

Speed cameras may be coming to some cities’ streets

Speed cameras have been used in other states and cities as an effective tool to reduce traffic deaths.

After an arduous and digressive journey, Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s bill to allow a few cities to test whether cameras can help curb dangerous speeding passed out of the legislature.