SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Sometimes, the sound and fury of the California Legislature softens long enough for a bill to pass unanimously.
Assembly Bill 1709, which drew bipartisan support on Monday, prohibits certain social media platforms from using addictive features to users under 16. It also creates an e-Safety Advisory Commission that will advise the state attorney general on online safety issues.
“We’ve never done anything like this,” said Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, a Long Beach Democrat and bill author, on the final day of this year’s legislative session.
The bill, back in the Assembly to approve Senate amendments, passed Monday afternoon 74-0. It now proceeds to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until Sept. 30 to sign it.
“The Assembly just passed landmark legislation protecting kids on social media with unanimous bipartisan support,” Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a Folsom Republican, posted on X. “A huge win for parents and kids.”
The Legislature has held marathon sessions over the past two weeks in anticipation of Monday. Last-minute legislation is expected to push lawmakers into overtime on Tuesday, though the final push to get bills across the finish line occurred before the clock struck Sept 1.
Lowenthal’s bill wasn’t the only legislation to get unanimous approval. Assembly Bill 2727 — by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, an Elk Grove Democrat — is aimed at changing the state’s elderly parole program.
Currently, the state could consider someone for parole for certain offenses once they reach 50 years old and have served at least 20 years of their sentence. Under Nguyen’s bill, someone convicted of sexual crimes like rape would have to be at least 65 years old and have served a minimum of 25 years.
Assemblymember Tom Lackey, a Palmdale Republican, called it refreshing that the Legislature was taking a balanced approach, as rehabilitation is a goal worth pursuing.
“But at the expense of the victim, it’s just wrong,” he added.
The bill passed the Assembly 59-0.
The harmony couldn’t last, as lawmakers see contentious bills every session.
Assembly Bill 2760 — written by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, a San Diego Democrat — would prohibit law enforcement from using electroshock devices in the state, and stop them from using money to buy such devices.
California also must conduct a study on the devices by January 2029.
The bill quickly rose to prominence in August, when the Department of Homeland Security revealed plans to spend up to $20 million on electroshock gloves for federal immigration agents.
Sharp-Collins said the technology hasn’t been vetted or proven safe.
The bill passed 51-16 and is headed to the governor.
“This bill is DOA, just like their mask ban,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X last week. “California does not have authority to dictate what tools federal law enforcement can and cannot use. That’s the job of Congress.”
Lawmakers in both chambers tackled hundreds of bills over the past two weeks. It’s an annual ritual, with the stop-and-start, jerky governmental machine in full view.
Sessions last a few hours early in the year, with some exceptions. Those hours grow exponentially as the end of session nears.
“We’re getting close to going home, right?” asked Assemblymember Marc Berman, a Menlo Park Democrat, around 4 p.m. Monday.
In many cases, there’s little suspense in what bills will pass muster, as Democrats have a supermajority in both houses. However, state Senator Scott Wiener — a San Francisco Democrat — appeared on the Assembly floor as that body debated Senate Bill 895.
That bill, written by Wiener, would place the California Science and Health Research Bond Act on the March 2028 ballot. If approved, it would authorize $7.5 billion in bonds to fund grants, loans and contracts for research and research facilities.
Supporters pointed to President Donald Trump’s administration’s 40% to 55% cuts to certain agencies.
“Health and science research are an integral part of California,” said Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache, a Lynwood Democrat.
The bill passed 60-6 in the Assembly, returning to the Senate and passing there 28-9.
“This is an integral part of California’s future,” Wiener said moments before his chamber’s successful vote.
Lawmakers voted on bills Monday ranging from research to roadsters.
Senate Bill 1392, this session’s iteration of Leno’s Law, passed its final legislative hurdle in a 30–4 state Senate vote.
A version of the bill, supported by late-night host, comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno, failed last year. Passing Monday, it exempts qualified collector motor vehicles from smog checks.
Qualifying vehicles must have a model year older than 1981 and be driven under 1,000 miles each year.
“A lot of our lowrider groups are part of this,” said state Senator Shannon Grove, a Bakersfield Republican and bill supporter.
Many bills reached the governor’s desk before the chaos of the final day.
Senate Bill 1004, written by Wiener, adds state authorities to a list of law enforcement agencies that can’t wear masks. Wiener introduced the bill in response to a federal judge blocking an existing mask ban in February because it didn’t apply equally to all law enforcement. However, the Bill Clinton appointee also found that federal officers could perform their jobs without wearing masks.
Senate Bill 747, also by Wiener, is dubbed the No Kings Act. Wiener has said it would close a loophole and allow people to sue federal agents for violating their rights — a legal path with little chance of success under current law.
State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, a Pasadena Democrat, has Senate Bill 1105 on Newsom’s desk. It would prohibit state law enforcement agencies from having interagency agreements unless they include a provision prohibiting racial or identity profiling.
Other high profile bills failed weeks, if not months, ago.
Assembly Bill 1644 — written by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a Torrance Democrat — would have created a smartphone ban for students in transitional kindergarten to eighth grade, though parents would have had at least one method of contacting students during school hours. A ban for high schools would have been strongly encouraged.
The bill failed to get out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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