California businesses and institutions will have to stop irrigating decorative grassy areas with drinkable water under legislation approved by state lawmakers.

The bill now goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. Newsom’s office declined to comment today, but he previously called for an irrigation ban that led to a similar emergency measure that’s in effect until next June. 

Legislature wraps up Thursday; governor has until Oct. 14 to sign bills

Lawmakers wrapping up the legislative session this week have sent dozens of bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk seeking his signature, covering weighty topics — guns, drugs, education, environment, discrimination, crime and punishment — and some far out stuff too, from marijuana cafes to magic mushrooms.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – It’s now up to Governor Gavin Newsom if three Bay Area cities will get speed safety cameras. Lawmakers passed a bill on the cameras Wednesday and sent it off to Newsom’s desk.

The proposed cameras are aimed to make streets safer for drivers and pedestrians...

California lawmakers passed a bill on Monday allowing the formation of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) through remote methods. If Gov. Gavin Newsom doesn't veto the initiative, it could herald a paradigm shift for veterinary telemedicine in the nation's most populous state and beyond, reflecting a trend that is already unfolding.

In May, Arizona adopted a similar measure. 

I am crying tears of joy and relief that AB 645, the speed camera bill, was just decisively passed by the California Senate.

THIS IS HUGE. AB 645 was passed by the California Assembly and Senate!

Coming off what’s shaping up to be a slightly more active session on climate policy than expected, we want to know who you think deserves the most credit.

Our list is heavy on legislative veterans with established track records. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Wednesday, California’s legislature passed a bill banning the sale of cosmetic products that contain 26 toxic chemicals known to affect human health. The bill advances to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign it into law.

Driven by the unwavering commitment of the legislation’s author, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), Assembly Bill 496 would ban hazardous substances like some borate compounds, lily aldehyde, cyclotetrasiloxane, trichloroacetic acid, styrene and certain colors.

Striking workers in California are one step closer to receiving state-funded financial help after a key vote Monday afternoon. The California Assembly voted 53-14 to give employees on strike access to state unemployment insurance benefits. The measure still needs the approval of the Senate labor committee, and then it must pass the Senate floor on a concurrence vote before it goes to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.

“Let’s not take our concerns about EDD, about our funds, out on people who need the help right now,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale).

This is a story of the influence of interest groups on the process of making new laws.  When Assembly Bill 1573 was introduced in February 2023, it seemed to be primarily a water-saving measure that would “eliminate the use of irrigation of nonfunctional turf” (turf that is not a recreational area or community space with foot traffic).

Yesterday, at the request of Assemblymember Laura Friedman, AB 1573 entered the California Legislature’s  “inactive file,” therein ending its run this legislative season. The Assemblymember’s transformative legislation was derailed by last-minute amendments on Sep. 1 as it passed through the California Senate Appropriations Committee. Sponsored by CNPS, the bill would have implemented California’s first requirement for the inclusion of low-water native plants in public and commercial landscapes.