At a Glance
- California will roll out a wave of new laws in 2026 that cover tech, housing, health, and consumer protection.
- Key changes include a ban on loud streaming ads, mandatory AI labeling, and stricter appliance standards for rentals.
- Additional reforms touch insulin copays, minimum wage, and even a ban on cat declawing.
- Why it matters: These laws will reshape everyday life for Californians-from how we watch shows to what we can buy and how we pay for healthcare.
California’s lawmakers have packed the 2026 legislative agenda with rules that touch almost every part of daily life. From how ads sound on streaming services to the safety of rental appliances, the new statutes aim to protect consumers, promote transparency, and improve public health.
Streaming & AI Regulations
The state’s new SB 576 will ban streaming platforms from playing commercials louder than the content itself, mirroring the federal CALM Act. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Key points
- Streaming services: Peacock, YouTube, Netflix, and others.
- Sound limit: Commercials cannot exceed the volume of the show.
- Inspiration: Senator Thomas Umberg cited his daughter’s disrupted naps.
SB 942 requires large generative-AI providers-such as Meta, Google, and OpenAI-to offer a free AI-detection tool. Users creating images, videos, or audio must also be able to add a clear visual label indicating AI origin. The law activates January 1, 2026.
Housing & Appliance Standards
Under AB 628, landlords must provide working appliances and “adequate heating and hot water systems” in rental units from January 1, 2026. Tenants can safely cook and store food only if appliances are in good condition.
Requirements
- Stove and refrigerator must be functional.
- Recall repair: Items subject to a recall must be fixed or replaced within 30 days.
- Tenant-owned appliances: Lease must note mutual agreement.
Consumer Protection & Billing
AB 578 forces food-delivery apps to issue full refunds-including tips, taxes, and fees-if an order is not delivered or is incorrect. Refunds must go to the original payment method, not just store credit. The law also bars platforms from using tips to cut delivery worker pay.
SB 446 tightens data-breach notification. Businesses must inform customers within 30 calendar days of discovering a breach, and if more than 500 residents are affected, a sample notification must be sent to the state Justice Department within 15 days.
Health & Labor Reforms
SB 40 caps insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply on private plans starting January 1, 2026. Large group insurers must offer at least one insulin type; small groups must cap copays by January 1, 2027. Roughly 3.5 million Californians are diabetic.
Minimum wage rises from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour on January 1, 2026, affecting both hourly and salaried workers. In Los Angeles, the rate already stands at $17.87 after a July 2025 increase.
Public Safety & Environmental Measures
AB 486 makes possession of key-programming or duplicating devices a misdemeanor if intended for burglary, punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
AB 867 bans cat declawing statewide, except for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed veterinarians.
AB 544 requires electric-bike riders to equip a red reflector or solid/red flashing light with a built-in reflector on the rear at all times. Minors can satisfy helmet-violation citations by completing an online CHP e-bike safety program.
AB 1299 allows local agencies to reduce, suspend, or waive parking citations for those proving financial hardship or homelessness. Owners can also request payment plans.
AB 1053 eliminates single-carry-out plastic bags at cashiers, pushing stores toward recycled paper bags that must contain at least 50 % post-consumer recycled material by January 1, 2028.
| Law | Effective Date | Key Impact |
|---|---|---|
| SB 576 | July 1, 2026 | Loud ads banned on streaming services |
| SB 942 | Jan 1, 2026 | AI-content labeling required |
| AB 628 | Jan 1, 2026 | Rental appliances must work properly |
| AB 578 | 2026 | Full refunds for delivery errors |
| SB 40 | Jan 1, 2026 | Insulin copays capped at $35 |
| Min Wage | Jan 1, 2026 | $16.90/hour statewide |
| AB 1053 | Jan 1, 2028 | Plastic bags eliminated |
Key Takeaways
- California’s 2026 reforms cover streaming sound, AI transparency, and rental safety.
- Health costs will be capped with insulin copays at $35, and the state wage rises to $16.90.
- New rules protect consumers from misleading ads, data breaches, and unfair delivery practices.
These sweeping changes signal California’s commitment to safeguarding residents’ digital, physical, and economic well-being as the state adapts to a rapidly evolving society.
