New laws to know in 2026
by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com
An abundance of new state laws hit the books on January 1, and one, Senate Bill 79, which goes into effect July 1, could have a direct impact on Claremont.
Senate Bill 79 allows high density housing projects as tall as nine stories to be built within half a mile of publicly funded transit hubs such as bus stops and railway stations, overriding local zoning laws that restrict such high-density projects. The bill applies to Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Diego and Santa Clara counties, and its provisions would apply to the Claremont Metrolink station.
Critics say the law overrides local control. Supporters, such as Claremont City Council member Jed Leano who championed the bill’s approval as senior policy advisor at Inner City Law Center, said the bill will address the state’s housing crisis.
“SB 79 will ensure that housing is available to people for whom Claremont is inaccessible: entry level professionals, middle class families with young children, seniors on fixed incomes, immigrants starting in America, and artists and entertainers adding to our rich cultural legacy,” Leano wrote in a statement to the Courier shortly after SB79’s passage in October 2025. “SB 79 includes robust affordability standards, flexibility for local alternative plans, and protections for existing affordable housing.”
Residents will notice a change when shopping at convenience, retail and grocery stores as plastic bags will no longer be available for purchase. Senate Bill 1053 greatly expands California’s ban on plastic bags and puts a new emphasis on customers to use their own bags, or those made of recycled materials. Retailers may sell bags made from recycled paper or other materials for 10 cents.
Minimum wage rises
Certain minimum wage workers will see their paychecks increase following the state’s minimum wage increase to $16.90 per hour, up the previous minimum of $16.50.
Assembly Bill 628 compels landlords to provide a functioning stove and refrigerator for rental dwellings when leases or contracts are signed, amended, or renewed in 2026 and beyond. Tenants may still provide their own appliances if mutually agreed.
Assembly Bill 246 codifies that through January 20, 2029 tenants demonstrating financial hardship under the Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025 cannot be evicted if they are unable to pay rent due to federally delayed or ceased Social Security payments that were halted through no fault of the renter.
“The Act would authorize a tenant of residential real property to assert Social Security hardship as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer proceeding based on the nonpayment of rent,” the bill reads, in part. “The Act would not relieve a tenant of their obligation to pay past due rent, and it would require a tenant, within 14 days of the Social Security benefits being restored, to either pay all past due rent or enter into a mutually agreed upon payment plan with the owner of the residential real property.”
Motorists should make note of Assembly Bill 1014, which now allows the California Department of Transportation to lower speed limits by 5 miles per hour on certain highways — not freeways — such as safety corridors or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, and retain or lower limits between 20 to 25 miles per hour on roads where lower speeds are essential. “For AB 1014, school zones would be eligible for the speed limit reduction,” Handel said.
Drivers will have 30 days to adjust to the new speed limits and will not be ticketed immediately by California Highway Patrol or local police.
Senate Bill 627 makes it a crime for law enforcement, peace officers, or federal agents to wear a facial covering — defined in the law as “any opaque mask, garment, helmet, headgear, or other item that conceals or obscures the facial identity of an individual, including, but not limited to, a balaclava, tactical mask, gator, ski mask, and any similar type of facial covering or face-shielding item” — while on the job. Translucent face shields, clear masks, and other medical coverings such as an N95 mask are permitted.
Penalties can be imposed on officers should they commit an “assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution” while wearing a facial covering, according to the bill. The Trump administration is suing California to freeze SB 627.
Assembly Bill 544 will require e-bikes to be equipped with a rear red reflector or a solid or flashing red light at all times. The CHP will also develop an online e-bike safety and training program that minors must complete should they receive a helmet violation.
Senate Bill 586 will define “off-highway electric motorcycles” as a vehicle that, “Is designed primarily for off-highway use,” “Is powered by an electric motor that does not require a motor number, “Has handlebars for steering, a manufacturer-provided straddle seat, and two wheels,” and “Is not equipped with manufacturer-provided pedals.” It will also categorize “off-highway electric motorcycles” as an “off-highway motor vehicle,” and require riders to wear a helmet and have their e-motorcycle registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
“E-motos are prohibited in all parks under the existing CMC 11.02.070. The existing municipal code already covered these devices,” Handel wrote. “The [Claremont Hills Wilderness Park] has e-bike restrictions.”
Last year, the City Council passed an ordinance banning class-III motorized e-bikes at the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. Manual pedal bikes as well as class I and II e-bikes are permitted at the park.
For additional resources or information on new laws, visit gov.ca.gov. For updated traffic laws, visit chp.ca.gov.
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