New laws protect voters from ICE at the polls, establish A.I. safeguards in courtrooms and prevent dangerous chemical explosions

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that Governor Gavin Newsom signed the final bills in Umberg’s 2026 legislative package, completing a slate of eight new laws. The measures protect voters at the polls, prevent dangerous chemical incidents, establish safeguards for A.I. in the legal system and strengthen consumer and public safety protections across California.

“Each of these bills addresses a real problem facing Californians and delivers a practical solution,” said Senator Tom Umberg. “These issues are also personal to me: Witnessing voter intimidation as a federal prosecutor in Santa Ana was the experience that drove me to seek elected office. When a chemical emergency threatened families in Garden Grove this year, I saw the fear and disruption it caused. And as an attorney and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have seen firsthand how rapidly artificial intelligence is changing our legal system. These experiences are a reminder of why I chose public service in the first place — to make government work for the people it serves. I am proud that these laws will make a meaningful difference for Californians.”

Legislation Signed into Law: 

SB 884 – Protect Our Polls Act:
Protects Californians from voter intimidation and federal interference at polling places, including immigration enforcement in specified voting locations, while strengthening access to voting.

SB 883 – Preventing Chemical Explosions Act:
Strengthens oversight of reactive chemical storage facilities and improves emergency preparedness, public safety, and protections for communities surrounding high-risk facilities.

SB 623 – Fair Medical Billing & Rideshare Safety Act:
Protects Californians injured in rideshare-related accidents from unnecessary treatment and excessive medical charges while preserving access to medical care and legal representation. The law also strengthens rideshare safety through annual background checks and tougher driver eligibility standards.

SB 574 – Court A.I. Protection Act:
Establishes safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence by attorneys and arbitrators, including protections for confidential client information and requirements that attorneys review A.I.-generated work. The law also prohibits arbitrators from delegating decision-making to an A.I. tool.

SB 758 – Substance Control and Retail Integrity Act:
Restricts the sale of nitrous oxide by retailers licensed to sell cigarettes and tobacco products, while maintaining exemptions for grocery stores and general retailers with grocery departments.

SB 25 – Pre-Merger Notification Act:
Provides the Attorney General earlier access to certain federal merger filings, giving the state more time to review potentially anticompetitive transactions and allowing businesses to address concerns earlier in the process.

SB 342 – Contractors Licensure Fairness Act:
Creates a more balanced approach to contractor licensing by allowing contractors to recover payment for work performed while properly licensed, even if a licensing lapse occurs during a project. Contractors remain ineligible to recover payment for work performed while unlicensed.

SB 96 – CALM Act Modernization for Social Media, Music and Podcasts:
Extends protections against excessively loud advertisements to social media video, music streaming, and podcast platforms, prohibiting ads from playing louder than the content selected by users.

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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, 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.