Berman’s bills
Among eight new laws authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman that will be on the books in 2026 is a response to a 2022 traffic accident that killed 8-year-old Jacob Villanueva when he was walking to Castlemont Elementary School.
Assembly Bill 382 improves safety in school zones by lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour. This requirement goes into effect Jan. 1, 2031, to provide local jurisdictions with additional time for implementation.
Other Berman-authored laws going into effect in 2026 are aimed at strengthening the state’s elections systems via speedier ballot counts and more greater opportunity for voters to fix signature deficiencies and have their vote counted; protecting consumers from puppy mills and ending the use of ratepayer funds for political lobbying; requiring that the total estimated charges of a rental car be disclosed as soon as consumers select dates, rental location and vehicle type; Clarifying the process for the public to request and receive payroll records for public works projects; giving rideshare drivers the opportunity to unionize; and updating California’s concealed carry weapons laws to align with recent Supreme Court guidance. Certain provisions of this bill, AB 1078, will not go into effect until April 1.
Agriculture webinar
The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority will present an update on the progress of its Agricultural Strategic Plan during a Jan. 20 webinar hosted by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.
The authority is developing a strategy to define its role in supporting local agriculture. Anna Regalado, the authority’s agricultural specialist, will share information about the goals of the plan and how input from the public and important stakeholders—including farmers, farmworkers and ranchers—will influence the plan. A question-and-answer session will follow her presentation.
The webinar starts at 10 a.m. Registration to https://bit.ly/3L8j9Am is appreciated but not required.