Consumer Protection

Expands data broker reporting requirements to include sensitive personal data like citizenship and biometric information. Requires data brokers to provide clear instructions for consumers to access and delete their personal information. Imposes daily fines of $200 for data brokers who fail to register or comply with deletion requests. Mandates data brokers to undergo privacy audits starting January 2029.

Expands beer distribution options by allowing licensed manufacturers and wholesalers to sell beer from trailers in addition to existing wagon and truck sales. Provides additional flexibility for licensed beer sellers to reach authorized retail customers through mobile distribution methods. Requires oversight from state alcohol control agencies to ensure compliance with distribution regulations.

Establishes new regulations for consumer legal funding companies that provide advance payments on legal settlements. Requires legal funding contracts to include clear payment terms and a 5-day cancellation right for consumers. Prohibits attorneys from sharing legal fees with out-of-state companies that allow non-lawyer ownership. Imposes $10,000 penalties per violation and allows the State Bar to discipline non-compliant attorneys.

Limits early termination fees to 20% of the total contract cost for installment payment agreements starting in 2026. Requires contracts to clearly display the total termination fee or calculation formula upfront. Mandates that termination fee disclosures be visible without clicking additional links or tooltips. Exempts broadband providers who comply with federal consumer labeling requirements from these rules.

Expands the California FAIR Plan Association's governing committee to include the Assembly Speaker and Senate Rules Committee Chair as nonvoting members to increase oversight of last-resort property insurance. Takes effect immediately as an urgency measure to address the growing unavailability of property insurance coverage due to catastrophic wildfires. Maintains the FAIR Plan's authority to assess member insurance companies for operational costs and set coverage limits to ensure financial stability.

Establishes a new opt-in system for auto manufacturers to follow specific vehicle restitution procedures starting July 2025. Requires consumers to notify manufacturers 30 days before seeking civil penalties for defective vehicles. Mandates consumers provide written notice to buyers about pending warranty claims before selling defective vehicles. Creates a public list of participating manufacturers on the Arbitration Certification Program website.

Caps public insurance adjuster fees at 15% of insurance payouts during disasters and emergencies. Prohibits adjusters from soliciting clients during active disasters or between 6 PM and 8 AM. Extends contract cancellation period to 5 days for disaster victims. Requires detailed written contracts specifying services and fees for property insurance claims.

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.

Makes technical changes to various code sections to update cross-references, clarify language, and conform provisions to existing law.

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 California's unclaimed property law to include digital financial assets like cryptocurrency. Requires businesses to notify owners 6-12 months before digital assets are transferred to the state. Mandates transfer of unclaimed digital assets to the state after three years of inactivity. Allows the State Controller to decline custody of digital assets if not in the state's interest.

Increases the maximum document processing fee that car dealers can charge to up to $500 or 1% of vehicle price. Maintains existing fee caps of $85 for DMV partner dealers and $70 for other dealers as minimum thresholds. Requires document processing charges to be clearly disclosed as dealer fees rather than government fees. Restricts electronic filing charges to actual costs charged by authorized service providers.

Increases penalties for social media platforms that violate cyberbullying prevention rules to $50,000 per violation. Establishes that each day of non-compliance counts as a separate violation for penalty purposes. Authorizes courts to order platforms to comply and award attorney fees to successful plaintiffs.

Expands debt settlement protections to include commercial financing recipients who borrow up to $500,000. Requires debt settlement providers to give detailed disclosures and monthly account statements to all clients. Mandates a 3-day review period before contracts can be signed and allows cancellation without penalties. Authorizes legal action with damages up to $5,000 per violation plus attorney fees for illegal practices.

Establishes comprehensive regulations for ticket sellers to combat predatory practices and protect consumers. Requires ticket sellers to own or have rights to tickets before listing them and disclose exact seat locations. Mandates full refunds within 30 days for canceled events with special options for nonprofit venues. Prohibits automated ticket-buying software and imposes fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Limits DMV private partner fees to no more than 5% above standard DMV service charges. Requires private partners to display a link to DMV services on their websites with a no-cost disclosure. Mandates annual DMV oversight reports to the Legislature on private partner operations and fraud. Establishes monitoring requirements to protect consumer data and prevent improper use of vehicle records.

Expands tax preparer exemptions to include licensed accountants, law firms, and financial institutions. Requires supervised employees to have their tax returns signed by exempt professionals. Applies new exemption rules to tax returns filed for years starting January 1, 2025.

Exempts temporary beer vendors at special events from draught beer labeling requirements. Prohibits all alcohol vendors from misrepresenting products by selling different beer than advertised. Authorizes state regulators to seize and dispose of mislabeled draught beer.

Requires rental companies and third parties to provide upfront total cost estimates including all taxes and fees. Mandates clear disclosure of additional charges and fees in all rental car advertisements. Prohibits charging rental fees before vehicle delivery or after customer requests pickup at non-business locations. Allows rental companies to charge double fees if unauthorized drivers operate the vehicle.

Requires internet providers to submit annual reports on broadband speeds and pricing starting January 2027. Mandates providers to resolve customer complaints within 30 days or pay a minimum $50 credit. Establishes fines up to $1,000 per day for providers who fail to submit required data or resolve complaints. Creates a public database of broadband pricing and performance data to increase transparency for consumers.

Expands state financial regulators' authority to enforce rules against deceptive practices by licensed entities. Maintains existing licensing exemptions while adding consumer protection enforcement oversight. Allows regulators to investigate financial misconduct regardless of an entity's license status.

Bans the sale of seven common consumer products containing PFAS chemicals starting January 1, 2027. Authorizes regulators to ban additional product categories when safer alternatives are available at similar costs. Exempts medical devices, pesticides, and products containing essential fluoropolymers from the restrictions. Requires an 18-month transition period before new product bans can take effect.

Prohibits third-party platforms from listing restaurant reservations without written agreements from establishments. Authorizes the Attorney General to impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation. Creates a state fund from collected penalties to enforce restaurant reservation regulations. Allows restaurants and authorized reservation services to sue unauthorized platforms for damages.

Prohibits businesses from collecting location data unless necessary to provide requested services. Requires businesses to display notices when collecting location data and maintain detailed privacy policies. Bans state and local agencies from selling or monetizing any location information. Authorizes fines up to $25,000 per violation and allows both state and consumer enforcement actions.

Requires commercial financing providers to register with state regulators starting January 1, 2027. Prohibits lenders from requiring confessions of judgment or garnishing business accounts before default. Expands state financial protection laws to shield small businesses from predatory lending practices. Mandates commercial financing brokers to publicly display their average and maximum interest rates online.