Sacramento, CA – Six laws authored by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom during her first year in the California Legislature are set to take effect in 2026. The new statutes address foster youth protections, local job retention, wildfire preparedness, internet affordability, and fire safety concerns tied to lithium-ion batteries.
The laws taking effect include:
AB 899 – Supporting Local Jobs and CA-Made Glass
Effective January 1, 2026.
Protects over 1,000 local jobs in California’s glass bottle manufacturing industry by increasing market development incentives for recycled glass, helping wineries and other businesses buy California-made bottles instead of relying on foreign imports.
AB 1414 – Affordable Internet for All
Effective January 1, 2026.
Stops landlords from locking tenants into expensive internet contracts. Families will have the freedom to choose the provider that works best for their household and budget.
AB 741 – Protecting Foster Youth
Effective January 1, 2026.
Currently, foster youth organizations are only notified every four years if a volunteer is listed on the Child Abuse Central Index. This law closes that gap by requiring immediate notification.
AB 935 – Tracking Discrimination to Build Fairer Communities
Effective January 1, 2026.
Helps the state identify and address discrimination by requiring the Civil Rights Department and Department of Education to collect demographic data — such as race, ethnicity, and gender — from individuals who file complaints. This information ensures policies better protect all Californians.
AB 1285 – Protecting Communities from Lithium Battery Fires
Effective January 1, 2026.
Requires the State Fire Marshal to create fire prevention, response, and recovery plans for utility grade lithium-ion battery storage sites. The goal is to improve safety for firefighters, first responders, and nearby communities.
AB 1531 – Strengthening California’s Wildfire Prevention Efforts
Effective January 1, 2026, with implementation benchmarks through July 1, 2026.
Adds the Department of Insurance to the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Board to ensure the state takes a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to preventing and reducing wildfire risks, in an effort to make insurance more affordable.
