Senator Laura Richardson Secures Six Key Legislative Victories Signed by Governor Newsom
Sacramento, California — State Senator Laura Richardson (D‑South Bay) concluded the 2026 legislative session with six significant bills signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, marking a productive year of policymaking on issues central to California’s economic stability, community wellbeing, and long‑term resilience.
“I have been honored to work with a diverse group of community members and stakeholders this year on policy that positively impacts my constituents and all Californians,” said Senator Richardson. “I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his support and signature on my bills.”
Senator Richardson’s legislative accomplishments span a wide range of priorities, including access to healthcare treatment, voting reform, financial protections, fuel refinery oversight, cemetery abandonment reform, and tribal housing expansion. Together, these measures strengthen consumer safeguards, enhance public safety, protects families and the legacy of their loved ones, and expand access to critical housing resources for sovereign tribal nations.
Governor Newsom signed the following bills:
SB1089 would add GLP-1s to CalRx’s list of medications. Offering GLP-1 medications would make chronic weight disease medications accessible and affordable to California patients regardless of one’s income, financial status, age or employment insurance.
SB1420 directs the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop and disseminate guidance on how counties should implement and enable the casting of Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballots at an in person location without the envelope. In addition, SB 1420 directs the SOS to include information regarding this novel method of casting VBM ballots, as well as the use option to vote on the Saturday before election day, in official voter information guides and other election resources.
SB1312 legally defines “abandonment” as it relates to cemeteries and the process by which, private title transfers may occur when a cemetery is abandoned so that a potential new owner, public cemetery district or government entity (such as a county) can ensure the originally intended and contracted health, safety, adequately maintained property, and peace of mind is restored.
SB505 strengthens the security of money transmitted through requiring the use of common sense security practices, including the use of either two-factor authentication, multifactor authentication, or an equivalent or stronger form of authentication before allowing a user to login. In addition, SB 505 requires the implementation of risk-based re-authentication requirements that balance consumer protection with user access, as well as a method for consumers to report suspected fraud or errors through the same platform on which they occurred or through a reasonable alternative.
SB1322 addresses ongoing challenges in navigating tribal sovereignty and land ownership that have made it difficult for tribes to access crucial housing resources. This bill strengthens the state’s commitment to tribal communities by expanding eligibility and increasing flexibility within the grant program. Funding will be administered through the California Department of Social Services, which oversees the program and will work directly with tribal governments to support housing acquisition and rehabilitation efforts.
SB1337 requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, on or before January 31, 2029, to enter into memoranda of understanding with relevant air districts and local governments with transportation fuels refining facilities within their jurisdictions to enable the coordination that is needed to ensure the transportation fuels sector is successfully managed and maintains environmental, public health, labor, economic, and consumer protections.
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