On the first day of January each year a slew of new laws take effect, many of which people will never hear of unless directly impacted. In California, the second-fewest number of legislative bills were passed, second only to the previous year due to COVID-19.
"In partnership with the Legislature, we’ve advanced hundreds of new bills this year to make meaningful progress on an array of issues that matter deeply to Californians across the state,” said Governor Newsom. “I thank Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon for their leadership in advancing historic measures to improve the lives of Californians, including new tools to boost our housing supply, improve workplace conditions and build a stronger state. As we head into the new year, I look forward to our continued work to expand opportunity for all Californians."
Highlights of some of the 770 bills signed into law in California:
Proposition 12 (the bacon law) seeks to improve living conditions for farm animals in California, and some say it's the strongest animal welfare law ever passed in the U.S. The ballot initiative — which was approved by voters in 2018 — makes metal enclosures that restrict pigs from turning around and battery cages that prevent hens from opening their wings illegal. Some farmers said the law will increase bacon costs at the supermarket by 60 percent and lead to a meat shortage.
California’s minimum wage rises to $15 per hour in this increment phase of a six-year implementation, and businesses with 25...
; ; ; agreed to pay $17.07 million to settle federal allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices on Friday, marking the Justice Department's first resolution unde...