SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a comprehensive package of new laws addressing slave reparations, gun safety, artificial intelligence regulation and consumer protections, marking one of California’s most far-reaching legislative efforts of the year.
One of the bills signed Friday is Senate Bill 518, which establishes the Bureau of Descendants of American Slaves within the California Department of Justice. The new agency would be responsible for verifying eligibility, processing claims and recommending compensation options for descendants of enslaved African Americans. The law also gives Californians whose families have been dispossessed through racially motivated land titles the right to seek compensation under the Government Claims Act. Lawmakers describe the measure as an important step in California’s broader efforts to address historic racial injustice and lay the foundation for future reparations policies.
Several of the newly signed bills would amend California’s firearm regulations. Assembly Bill 1344, authored by Rep. Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), would create a pilot program that would allow district attorneys in some counties to petition for emergency gun violence temporary restraining orders. Assembly Bill 1078 by Rep. Mark Berman (D-Menlo Park) expands enforcement provisions related to firearm possession, while Assembly Bill 1127 by Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) targets “converter pistols,” or weapons that can be modified to circumvent firearms classification laws. Senate Bill 704, filed by Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), would update state regulations on firearm barrels to address illegal weapon modifications.
Another bill signed into law, Senate Bill 524, focuses on transparency in the use of artificial intelligence by law enforcement. The measure would require police reports and official documents created with the help of AI to clearly disclose that fact and identify the technology used. Under the law, government agencies must retain all AI-generated drafts, maintain a detailed audit trail of who accessed or modified them, and ensure that preliminary AI drafts are not treated as official statements by staff. Lawmakers say the bill is aimed at increasing accountability as AI tools become more prevalent in public safety operations.
Several newly signed bills address narrower or technical areas of state law that are often overlooked. Assembly Bill 382, authored by Rep. Mark Berman (D-Menlo Park), would allow lower speed limits in school zones and crosswalks, update California’s pedestrian safety regulations, and allow cities to better adjust speed enforcement to protect students and pedestrians. Assembly Bill 439 by Rep. Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) amends the California Coastal Act of 1976 to require local governments to include additional data and updates in their periodic coastal program reports. The goal is to increase accountability for how cities manage coastal development and conservation. Senate Bill 602, filed by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley), would amend the state’s Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) regulations. It allows licensed veterinarians to provide certain services under indirect supervision in certain circumstances, with the aim of expanding access to treatment amid veterinary workforce shortages. Senate Bill 586 by Sen. Brian Jones (R-San Diego) updates off-highway vehicle regulations to formally include electric motorcycles in the state’s existing OHV framework and clarifies registration and usage standards for these new types of vehicles.
For the full text of the bill, please visit http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
Signed into law on October 10, 2025:
AB 330 by Rep. Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) – Rural Prepaid Cell Phone Service Collection Act. AB 352 by Rep. Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Crimes: Criminal threats. AB 382 by Rep. Mark Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Pedestrian Safety: School Zones: Speed Limits. AB 439 by Rep. Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) – California Coastal Act AB 483 by Rep. Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Periodic Installment Contracts: Early Termination Fees. AB 487 by the Insurance Commission – Insurance. AB 515 by Rep. Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Trial: Statement of Decision. AB 560 by Rep. Dawn Addis (D-Moro Bay) – Special Education: Resource Specialists: Special Classes.AB 587 by Rep. Laurie Davis (R-Laguna Niguel) – Student Aid Committee: Membership. AB 720 by Rep. Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) – Beverages: Alcohol Permits: Container Labeling. AB 747 by Rep. Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – Process Accountability, Reform, and Equity (SPARE) Act. AB 896 by Rep. Sadeh Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles) – Foster Care: Placement Transition Plan. AB 931 by Rep. Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) – State Bar Act: Consumer Legal Funding. AB 943 by Michelle Rodriguez (D-Ontario) – Insurance agents: prelicensure education. AB 1002 by Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Contractors: Nonpayment of Wages: Discipline. AB 1008 by Rep. Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Alcoholic Beverages: Licenses: San Luis Obispo County.AB 1037 by Rep. Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles) – Public Health: Substance Use Disorders.AB 1078 by Rep. Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Firearms.AB 1103 by Rep. Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) – Controlled Substances: Research.AB 1127 by Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) – Firearms: Converter Pistol. AB 1344 by Rep. Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Restrictions on Firearm Possession: Pilot Project. AB 1363 by Rep. Katherine Stefani (D-San Francisco) – Orders of Protection: Wyland’s Law. AB 1376 (D-Oakland) by Rep. Mia Bonta – District: Probation. SB 221 by Sen. Rosilicy Ochoa Bogue (R-Yucaipa) – Crimes: Stalking. SB 233 by Sen. Kelly Sejjarto (R-Murrieta) – Local Housing Needs: Decision: Consultation with Council of Governments. SB 304 by Sen. Jesse Arreguin (D-Berkeley) – Public Land: City of Oakland: Port of Oakland: Post-Acquisition Use of Land. SB 373 by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) – Special education: nonpublic, nonsectarian schools or institutions. SB 374 by Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Local Education Agencies: Annual Reporting Requirements: IDEA Addendum by Sen. Brian Jones (R-San Diego). SB 380 – Sexually Violent Predators: Transitional Housing Facilities: Report. SB 389 by Sen. Rosilicy Ochoa Bogue (R-Yucaipa) – Student health: Individuals with exceptional needs: Respiratory services: Qualified vocational nurses. SB 440 by Sen. Rosilicy Ochoa Bogue (R-Yucaipa) – Private Change Order Fair Payment Act. SB 451 by Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Gaming.SB 517 by Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) – Home Improvement Contract Requirements: Subcontractors.SB 518 by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) – Descendants of Enslaved People: Reparations.SB 524 by Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) – Law Enforcement SB 586 by Sen. Brian Jones (R-San Diego) – Off-Highway Electric Bikes. SB 602 by Sen. Dave Cortez (D-Silicon Valley) – Veterinarians: Veterinarian-Patient-Patient Relationship. SB 683 by Sen. Dave Cortez (D-Silicon Valley) – Privacy: Use of an individual’s name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness: Injunctive relief. SB 704 by Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) – Firearms: Barrels. SB 861 by the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee – Consumer Affairs.
—
Please correct or report typos.
