By Shane LaVigne, LaVigne Strategies

 

The Big Picture

2025 closes out the first year of the 2025–26 two-year legislative session. Of the 917 bills that reached Governor Gavin Newsom, 794 were signed and 123 were vetoed, a 13.4% veto rate, down from 15.7% the previous year.

CSLEA Advocacy Highlights

• Successfully protected BU7 park positions from proposed vacancy “sweep” cuts.
• Advocated for continued cannabis enforcement funding and long-term structural reform to stabilize resources.
• Led opposition on precise geolocation bills that would have undermined surveillance, data access, and criminal investigations, including AB 322 which would have effectively shut down law enforcement’s ability to use precise geo-location data.

Key Bills of 2025

• AB 564 (Haney) — Delays cannabis excise tax increase

Postpones the scheduled increase of the cannabis excise tax from 15% until fiscal year 2030–31 and requires annual revenue-impact reporting by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Avoids a sudden tax hike that could drive consumers back to the illicit market, helping preserve enforcement priorities and public safety.

Status: Signed into law (Chapter 127, Statutes of 2025).

• AB 322 (Ward) — Precise geolocation data restrictions

Establishes strict rules on how private entities collect, store, and disclose “precise geolocation data.” Requires advance notice, and limits use to what is necessary for the requested service, bans sale or trade of data, caps retention at one year, and restricts disclosures to law enforcement without a court order.

“No Californian should have their daily movements tracked, sold, or exploited just for going about their lives.” – Assemblymember Chris Ward

Would sharply curtail access to critical digital evidence used in investigations and time-sensitive cases.

CSLEA was lead opposition against this bill, utilizing our members from DOJ.

Status: Held under submission in the Senate — two-year bill.

• AB 1355 (Ward) — Location-data monetization ban

Expands privacy restrictions by banning public or private entities from monetizing location data, including selling, trading, or leasing it, and requires detailed privacy policies and notice before data use or policy changes.

While aimed at consumer protection, the broad language could restrict commercial and inter-agency tools law enforcement relies upon for investigative leads.

CSLEA was the lead opposition on AB 1355. This bill would have effectively shut down the use of precise location information critical to investigations.

Status: Held in committee — eligible to return in 2026.

• SB 274 (Cervantes) — Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) reforms

Limits retention of non-hit ALPR data to 60 days, mandates DOJ audits, user training, and reporting. Would reduce the look-back window for investigations and increase compliance workload.

Status: Vetoed by the Governor.

• SB 627 (Wiener) — Officer face-covering restrictions

Prohibits officers from wearing opaque facial coverings while on duty, with limited exceptions (undercover, tactical safety, medical). Requires all agencies to adopt a public mask policy by July 2026.

CSLEA will work on the mask bill next year to seek necessary fixes and clarifications.

Status: Signed into law.

• AB 847 (Sharp-Collins) — Civilian oversight access to peace-officer records

Grants civilian oversight boards and Inspectors General access to confidential peace-officer personnel records for investigations, under confidentiality and closed-session rules.

CSLEA successfully negotiated amendments to narrow the scope of records accessible to civilian review boards and Inspectors General, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.

Status: Signed into law.

• AB 1178 (Pacheco) — Enhanced record redactions for officer safety

Requires redactions of rank, name, photo, and likeness in records released under public-disclosure laws for undercover, task-force, or threatened officers and their families.

CSLEA supported AB 1178, recognizing the bill’s importance to officer safety and privacy.

Status: Signed into law.

• AB 1127 (Gabriel) — Ban on pistol conversion devices

Effective July 1, 2026, bans sale or transfer of pistols with converter devices capable of automatic fire, expands the machinegun definition, and creates new penalties.

CSLEA was able to seek amendments excluding our officers from the bill’s scope.

Status: Signed into law.

Looking Ahead to 2026

• A bill similar to AB 322 and AB 1355 is likely to come back next year. CSLEA will continue to lead opposition to protect investigative tools and ensure reasonable data-access pathways for law enforcement.
• ALPR legislation is expected to return following the SB 274 veto; CSLEA will stay engaged to balance privacy concerns with investigative effectiveness.
• Cannabis enforcement funding and structural reforms will remain budget priorities as the Legislature reconvenes.