SB 25 strengthens consumer protection, supports businesses and modernizes merger oversight

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that Governor Newsom has signed SB 25 – Pre-Merger Notification Act, landmark antitrust legislation designed to protect consumers while providing businesses with greater certainty during merger reviews.

“The Governor’s signature on SB 25 is a strong start to the year,” said Senator Umberg. “SB 25 is a first-of-its-kind measure in the antitrust space, creating a fairer, more efficient merger review process that balances the needs of businesses while protecting consumers.” 

SB 25 grants the California Attorney General earlier access to federal HSR merger filings. This gives the AG more time to review and challenge potential anticompetitive mergers and provides businesses with earlier notice to address potential concerns.

Under the prior system, state enforcers lacked direct access and were required to subpoena documents, an inefficient process that delayed oversight, increased costs and created uncertainty for businesses. SB 25 aligns California with the framework already used by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.

This bill is supported by both the California Chamber of Commerce and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

For full text of the bill, visit: SB 25 - Pre Merger Notification Act 

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 Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Long Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, and East and South Whittier. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.