CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #B7
DATE: January 14, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ernesto Marquez, City Manager
BY: Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to receive and file a summary of several California laws taking effect in the year 2026.
SUMMARY
Governor Gavin Newsom announced key laws taking effect in 2026. A summary of some of these laws that may impact our community are listed below (source: ABC News):
(AB 1327) Home Improvement
Allows a property owner to cancel a contract by email or a phone call for home improvement work or home solicitation of goods and services. (AB 1299) Parking Tickets
Reduces or waives parking fines if the owner of the vehicle provides evidence, they are unable to pay for the ticket in full due to homelessness or financial hardship. The vehicle owner can request a payment plan.
(AB 382) Speed Limit in School Zones
Cities and counties can lower the speed limit in school zones from 25 mph to 20 mph. (AB) 1087 Driving Under the Influence
Toughens penalties for drivers who cause a death while under the influence of intoxicants.
Previously, impaired drivers who caused a death could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, resulting in up to one year of probation for a misdemeanor and two years for a felony.
The new law increases the penalty for DUI-related deaths.
Agenda Item #B7
January 14, 2026
(AB 628) Rental Dwellings
Requires that landlords provide a working stove and refrigerator for any rental dwelling if the contract is signed in 2026 or later. Tenants can provide their own stove or refrigerator if it is mutually agreed upon with the landlord.
(AB 246) Tenant Protection
Prevents eviction if a tenant is unable to pay the rent because Social Security payments were delayed or terminated by the federal government through no fault of the renter. (SB 53) Gun Storage
Toughens gun laws by requiring firearms stored in the home to be locked up in a safe or other secure device when not immediately being handled. Closes a loophole that allowed unsecured storage if the gun owner did not expect children to be present. Not complying could result in a misdemeanor or felony.
(AB 1127) Converter pistols
Prohibits the sale of Glock handguns that come with a trigger bar which makes it easier to convert them into fully automatic weapons using a simple switch. The law, which takes effect in July, does not affect current owners of Glock pistols. (AB 250) Sexual Assault
Temporarily extends the statute of limitations for adult survivors of sexual assault to sue private individuals or institutions for an alleged cover up. Survivors can file claims between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027, no matter when the alleged crime occurred.
Several of these immigration-related laws took effect as soon as they were signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September and October of 2025. (AB 495) Family Preparedness Act
AB 495 is a direct reaction to increased ICE activity. It allows a court to appoint a legal guardian for children if their parents are deported. The law broadens the range of relatives that could be appointed as caregivers to include all adults related by blood or adoption, including great-great aunts or uncles, cousins, or stepsiblings. The caregiver designation does not give the person custody and can be cancelled by the parents.
The Family Preparedness Act also prohibits child daycare facilities from collecting information about a family's immigration status or citizenship. (AB 49) Immigration Enforcement in Schools
Prohibits school officials and employees from allowing federal immigration enforcement agents to enter schools without a warrant or court order. SB 98 requires schools to notify students, faculty, and community members if federal immigration enforcement officers go into a campus.
Agenda Item #B7
January 14, 2026
(SB 81) Healthcare Providers
Designates a patient's immigration status as protected medical data. It also requires healthcare facilities to designate safe zones not open to the public where access by immigration enforcement agents is restricted.
(SB 805) Law Enforcement Badges
Requires law enforcement officers in California who are not wearing a uniform to visibly display identification that includes their agency and either name or badge number. The law also makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate a law enforcement officer.
SB 627) Law Enforcement Masks
Makes it a crime for a law enforcement officer to wear a mask or facial covering while performing their duties. The law affects local peace officers as well as federal agents.
Officers could face civil penalties for false arrest or imprisonment of an individual if they are wearing a face covering.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve Recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS
None.