California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill 2164 on 2026-09-22, which would have prohibited his extradition of healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care and abortion services. The veto drew criticism from progressives who noted Newsom's stated support for reproductive and transgender rights.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on September 19, 2026 that would make it illegal to interfere with ballots or election records, enacted in response to the Trump administration's efforts to restrict voting.
On September 18, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to increase AI oversight and safety measures in the state, directing agencies and expert groups to recommend ways to strengthen AI safety laws. The order includes exploring the feasibility of an emergency 'kill switch' for advanced AI models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on September 18, 2026, directing state agencies and expert panels to recommend ways to strengthen AI safety laws and examine whether the most advanced AI models should have mandatory emergency shut-down mechanisms. The order positions California to lead on AI regulation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on 11 September 2026 restrictions barring children under 16 from exposure to behaviorally addictive social media features and banning AI companion chatbots in toys. The measures were part of a package of 13 bills enacted to safeguard young people online.
On 2026-09-07, Politico reported that California Governor Gavin Newsom's 2028 presidential prospects will be tested in Nevada, where Republican Governor Joe Lombardo—considered vulnerable this cycle—has made attacks on Newsom a central campaign theme.
As of September 6-7, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom faces skepticism about his 2028 presidential ambitions, with voters and analysts suggesting his state's challenges may become a political liability despite making him nationally prominent.
California state lawmakers blocked Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal to shield publicly traded utilities from certain wildfire liability costs as of 2026-08-28. The initiative would have limited corporate financial exposure for fire-related damage.
California Governor Gavin Newsom on August 24, 2026 asked state lawmakers to shield utilities from financial hardship by limiting their liability if their equipment sparks wildfires, proposing to shift costs to property insurers. The late-session legislative push aims to rescue utility companies from ruinous wildfire liabilities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, typically a Trump critic, endorsed Trump's new children's savings accounts on 2026-08-22 as "one of the best things" the administration has done.