Hold California Accountable

Requires landlords to return security deposits by check or electronically based on how payment was originally received. Mandates landlords to photograph rental units before tenancy begins and after it ends starting July 2025. Requires security deposit returns for multiple tenants to be payable to all adult tenants unless otherwise agreed. Allows small-scale landlords who own 2 or fewer properties to charge up to 2 months' rent for security deposits.

Authorizes county boards of supervisors to set their own wage rates for prisoner work assignments in county jails, removing the current $2 per 8-hour limit. Grants counties flexibility to determine fair compensation for incarcerated workers based on local conditions and needs. Requires implementation through board approval and oversight of county sheriffs who manage jail operations.

Requires the Gambling Control Commission to post all vote records on its website within two business days. Enhances transparency by making gambling regulation votes publicly accessible online. Maintains existing requirements for physical vote records at the commission's main office.

Updates property tax payment rules to credit mailed payments without postmarks based on receipt date. Authorizes tax collectors to reduce minimum auction prices when special assessments are reduced. Establishes electronic payments as received on the transaction completion date if made through approved channels.

Limits court videoconferencing fees to only cover the actual cost of providing the service. Requires Judicial Council approval for any court fees not explicitly authorized by law. Mandates annual reporting to the Legislature on all new court fees starting March 2028. Prohibits courts from charging fees that exceed their actual costs for any service or product.

Exempts close relatives from care plan requirements when serving as conservators for developmentally disabled adults. Maintains the presumption that a conservatee's personal residence is the least restrictive appropriate living option. Requires conservators to reevaluate placement if there are significant changes in the conservatee's needs.

Establishes a new pathway for federal attorneys to obtain California law licenses without taking the bar exam. Requires the State Bar to develop expedited licensing rules by January 1, 2026 for qualifying federal attorneys. Mandates federal attorneys have 5 years of experience and no disciplinary record to qualify. Takes effect immediately to help fill critical vacancies in public defender offices statewide.

Makes technical changes to update and conform cross-references across multiple state codes.

Makes technical changes to clarify requirements for horse racing wagering facility agreements.

Increases the maximum amount for court-ordered mediation from $50,000 to $75,000 in civil cases. Requires courts to provide free mediators when parties cannot agree on selecting one within 15 days. Mandates completion of mediation at least 120 days before trial without delaying the trial date. Allows remote mediation when all parties agree and requires at least one party to express interest.

Expands the legal definition of beer to include fermentation with any grain type, not just barley and malt. Permits brewers to use honey, fruits, herbs, and spices as additional ingredients in beer production. Clarifies that beer aged in used wine or spirit barrels remains classified solely as beer. Requires the use of drinkable water in the beer fermentation process.

Ratifies new and amended gaming agreements between California and the Big Sandy Rancheria tribe. Exempts tribal gaming agreements from state environmental review requirements. Takes effect immediately to promote tribal economic development and stability.

Renames the Mental Health Services Oversight Commission to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight Commission. Requires health facilities to submit patient safety plans biennially instead of biannually starting January 2026. Mandates nurse assistant training programs include 2 hours on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Requires large group disability insurance to cover infertility treatments starting July 2025.

Repeals outdated regulations for remote caller bingo and card-minding device oversight in California. Requires charitable bingo games to maintain separate accounts for proceeds used only for charitable purposes. Limits total prizes to $500 per game and requires all players to be physically present. Authorizes cities and counties to charge up to $50 for annual bingo licenses.

Makes technical changes to update place names, redefine water year dates, and remove obsolete provisions.

Prohibits probation officers from serving on juries in criminal cases to ensure impartial jury selection. Maintains existing restrictions that prevent certain peace officers from serving on both civil and criminal juries. Requires jury commissioners to exclude probation officers during the random selection of potential jurors.

Extends the deadline for filing solar energy system tax exclusions to three years after property purchase. Adds public schools to organizations eligible for property tax exemptions and refunds. Allows late-filed solar energy system claims to receive tax benefits starting in the year filed. Requires state reimbursement to local agencies for costs of implementing new tax provisions.

Expands online disclosure requirements for licensed professionals to include hydrolysis and funeral facilities. Requires fingerprinting for State Board of Chiropractic Examiners license applicants to enhance public safety. Updates distance education rules to focus on faculty-student location separation rather than institution location. Streamlines licensing fees and requirements across multiple professional boards and educational institutions.

Expands courts' authority to reclassify felonies as misdemeanors at any time during legal proceedings. Maintains sex offender registration requirements even when offenses are reduced to misdemeanors. Prevents unpaid restitution from blocking requests to reduce offense classifications.

Establishes a new opt-in system for car manufacturers to handle vehicle replacement and restitution claims. Delays implementation of new consumer protection procedures from April 1 to July 1, 2025. Requires manufacturers to commit to the new procedures for five-year periods once they opt in. Mandates consumers notify potential buyers of pending restitution claims before selling their vehicle.

Makes technical changes to employer notification requirements about tax filing assistance programs.

Suspends property tax penalties until April 2026 for specific Los Angeles and Ventura County areas affected by wildfires. Applies only to properties not delinquent before January 2025 and those not paid through impound accounts. Allows property owners to continue installment payment plans without default through April 2026. Takes immediate effect as an urgency measure to provide financial relief to wildfire-impacted residents.

Extends indefinitely the tax provisions allowing nonresident aliens to file without SSN or ITIN numbers. Maintains the group tax filing option for nonresident aliens receiving California income. Excludes from gross income any payments made by agents for nonresidents in group filings. Requires the highest marginal tax rate plus 1% for nonresident aliens filing group returns.

Increases the California State Lottery's immediate prize payment limit from $1,000 to $100,000. Requires the Lottery Commission to adopt regulations for processing larger immediate payments. Maintains existing record-keeping requirements for all immediate prize payments.

Authorizes electronic signatures for county board chairpersons, eliminating the need for resolution approval. Extends the maximum maturity period for local agency commercial paper investments from 270 to 397 days. Allows Kern County to appoint a registrar of voters separate from the county clerk. Clarifies that appointed board members serve until their elected replacement is qualified and takes office.