What are the new laws in California in 2026?

California's new laws for 2026 cover major areas like worker protections (higher minimum wage, pay transparency, contractor rules), healthcare (insulin caps, IVF coverage, AI in medicine), education (cellphone limits, civil rights office), housing (refrigerator requirements, used car rules), and consumer rights (food delivery refunds, plastic bag ban), reflecting significant shifts in labor, health, and public policy.

What are the new laws going into effect in California 2026?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping array of bills for 2026 covering consumer protection, labor rights, education, and public safety. Highlights include a $16.90 minimum wage, a ban on plastic bags at grocery checkouts, and new refund requirements for undelivered food app orders.

What are the new laws in KTLA 2026?

The laws cover a wide range of topics, from minimum wage to cats to plastic bags. In 2026, the state's minimum wage increases to $16.90 an hour, up from $16.50 this year. Another law will ban carryout plastic bags at grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores.

What's going to happen to Covered California in 2026?

For 2026, Covered California faces significant changes, primarily the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, leading to substantial premium hikes (averaging 10.3% before subsidies, potentially much more for consumers), rising healthcare costs, and new HSA rules for Bronze plans; while California offers state help for low-income members, many middle-income families will see costs surge as they lose temporary aid, making re-shopping plans crucial.
 

Is California getting rid of all plastic bags?

Plastic bags are on the way out in California. The state is expanding its ban on single-use plastic bags to include all plastic bags. The original law allowed the use of thicker plastic bags which were meant to be reusable, but since most consumers used them only once, those thicker bags are now being outlawed as well.

January Breaking News: 10 New California Laws Turning Seniors into “Criminals” in 2026

Why is Walmart not giving bags anymore?

Walmart is reducing single-use bags as part of its "zero waste" sustainability goal, driven by environmental concerns about plastic pollution and aligning with customer demand for eco-friendly options, implementing these changes gradually in states with plastic bag bans and through pilot programs to test reusable alternatives. 

What is the new food law in California?

New California food laws focus on reducing waste and improving clarity, primarily through AB 660 standardizing date labels to "Best if Used By" or "Use By," banning "Sell By" dates for consumers starting July 1, 2026, and ensuring food delivery refunds. Other significant laws include banning certain harmful additives (like Red Dye No. 3) from schools and general sale, requiring folic acid in tortillas, and mandating clearer allergen info on restaurant menus, all aiming for better public health and less food waste. 

What are the changes coming to social security in 2026?

Starting in 2026, the Social Security Administration has made changes to the full retirement age (FRA). Dig deeper: The FRA is now 67 for people born in 1960 and later, meaning at age 67 you would receive 100% of your monthly benefit.

Can I still drive my gas car after 2035?

Yes, you can still drive gas cars after 2035, as regulations focus on banning the sale of new gasoline vehicles, not existing ones, allowing people to own, drive, and sell used gas cars indefinitely, though their availability and the gas infrastructure may eventually decline due to shifting market demand. California and other states adopting its rules aim for 100% new zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, but existing internal combustion engine (ICE) cars remain legal to operate and trade in the used market. 

Is California becoming unlivable?

America has been under a global climate crisis for a long period of time – chaos is now interfering with our livable climate and if we don't do anything to preserve it, parts of California could submerge as soon as 2040. California is becoming unlivable, and we're not just talking about the traffic.

What is the 7 minute rule in California?

The California 7-Minute Rule refers to a federally permitted payroll practice where time clock punches are rounded to the nearest 15-minute interval, legally allowing employers to adjust clock-ins/outs by up to 7 minutes (e.g., 8:00-8:07 rounds to 8:00; 8:08-8:15 rounds to 8:15) for neutral application, though California courts scrutinize this, emphasizing employees must always be paid for all time worked, especially off-the-clock work, making strict neutrality crucial to avoid wage claims. 

Is California trying to pass an exit tax?

No, California doesn't have a formal "exit tax," but it aggressively taxes former residents on California-sourced income and assets, like rental income or capital gains from property sold after moving, and can consider high-net-worth individuals who leave as still being residents, potentially taxing their worldwide income for years after they've departed, making careful planning crucial to avoid unexpected tax bills, notes Forbes. 

What are the outrageous laws in California?

California: Baldwin Park: Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool. Blythe: You are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows. Burlingame: It is illegal to spit, except on baseball diamonds; Carmel Ice cream may not be eaten while standing on the sidewalk.

What is the 7 year rule in California?

The California "7-Year Rule" refers to different laws: primarily the Fair Chance Act, restricting most negative criminal history (like arrests without conviction, older convictions) on employment background checks to seven years from disposition/release, and Labor Code Section 2855, limiting personal service contracts (like entertainment) to seven years. It also impacts background checks for housing and other records, generally limiting reporting of non-convictions, civil suits, paid tax liens, and collections to seven years.
 

What tax changes are coming in 2026?

For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increases to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.

What is the new felony law in California?

Recent California laws, primarily SB 731 (2022), automate sealing records for many non-violent felonies after sentence completion and a 4-year clean record, offering a major second chance by making them inaccessible in most background checks; meanwhile, Proposition 36 (2024) modified sentencing, creating treatment options for drug offenses and adding penalties for repeat theft, shifting focus to rehabilitation but increasing consequences for specific serious drug/theft crimes. 

What year will gas cars be banned?

California is phasing out new gas car sales by 2035. California made history in 2020 as the first state to plan to ban the sale of new gas cars by 2035. In 2022, California passed a law requiring automakers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles each year.

Will diesel cars be worthless in 5 years?

But the end is in sight, as the government has declared that sales of petrol and diesel cars will end in 2030. Some car industry observers think this is ambitious, but either way, in a few years, there won't be many diesel cars on sale. They will survive beyond that, but by 2050, they could well be a rarity.

Why could California be contending with $5 gas next year?

California could face $5 gas next year (2026) primarily due to shrinking refining capacity, as refineries close amid high operating costs, regulatory pressure, and uncertainty from the state's shift to EVs, combined with already high taxes, fees, and unique fuel standards, creating a tighter supply that requires costly imports and spikes prices when issues arise.
 

How to get $3000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000 a month from Social Security, you generally need a history of high, consistent earnings (near the taxable maximum) for at least 35 years, combined with waiting to claim benefits until age 70 to maximize delayed retirement credits, as this strategy significantly boosts your monthly payment above the average. 

How much will Medicare cost in 2026?

For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month (up from $185 in 2025), with the annual deductible rising to $283; higher earners pay more through Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), and most people with Part A don't pay a premium, but the inpatient deductible increases to $1,736. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) often have low or no extra premiums, though most still require paying the Part B premium. Costs for Part D (prescription drugs) also have income-based adjustments.
 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

That extra $144 likely comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback Benefit, a feature in some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that pays back some or all of your Part B premium, appearing as extra money in your Social Security check if it's deducted from there. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium (not covered by Medicaid), and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan in your area that offers this local benefit, with the amount varying by plan and ZIP code, not a fixed government amount. 

Can you take a 45 minute lunch in California?

Basic Rules of Meal Breaks

Employees in CA must likewise receive an unpaid 30-minute meal break after every five hours of work. They may choose not to take the meal break but only if they're required to work for five to six hours.

Is bacon outlawed in California?

Prohibits the sale of various fresh, whole-muscle pork products (including bacon, fresh ham, chop, ribs, riblet, loin, shank, leg, roast, brisket, steak, sirloin or cutlet, that is comprised entirely of pork meat, except for seasoning, curing agents, coloring, flavoring, preservatives and similar meat additives) within ...

What is the 80 80 rule in California?

The California "80/80 rule" is a sales tax guideline for restaurants: if more than 80% of a business's gross receipts are from food sales, AND more than 80% of those food sales are of taxable items (like hot prepared food or meals for on-premise consumption), then all of the business's food sales become taxable, even cold, to-go items. This means careful record-keeping is crucial, with separate accounting for non-taxable items like cold, to-go sandwiches or hot bakery goods to avoid taxing everything.