With just two months left in 2026, California is already preparing residents for a new wave of state regulations, as a series of measures designed to protect consumers from hidden costs, insurance disputes and deceptive business practices have just been signed, with some changes already in effect and others rolling out through 2028.
New protections when buying a car
California’s CARS Act (SB 766) took effect October 1. Dealers must disclose total vehicle prices upfront, clarify financing costs, and stop making optional add-ons a condition of purchase. Buyers of qualifying used cars priced at $50,000 or less must also be offered a three-day cancellation option.
Medical paperwork fees are banned
Under AB 2292, healthcare providers can no longer charge administrative fees to complete medical certification forms required for California disability insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits. Medical exams and applicable copayments or deductibles can still cost money.
Heat pump installation could cost less
California’s Heat Pump Access Act aims to reduce installation red tape. Permit fees are capped at $150 for heat pump water heaters and $200 for heating and cooling systems, subject to exemptions. Online permitting and streamlined inspections will follow in phases through 2028.
Concert ticket resale gets stricter
AB 1349 targets speculative ticket listings, misleading resale websites, and bots that bypass online queues or purchase limits. Buyers may recover twice the contracted ticket price if a platform fails to deliver tickets as agreed, along with eligible expenses and legal costs.
Insurance companies face tougher penalties
The Disaster Recovery Reform Act (SB 876) strengthens protections for disaster survivors. Starting in 2028, certain insurance claim violations during declared emergencies will carry doubled penalties. The law also expands rebuilding and temporary living expense coverage options for eligible homeowners.
Data centers must pay their share
Under SB 886, California regulators must establish electricity tariffs and connection rules for large data centers by 2028. The goal is to make these facilities cover their share of grid infrastructure costs instead of passing them on to other customers.
Big energy users pay more
AB 2383 complements SB 886 by requiring utilities and other electricity providers to adopt specific rates for data centers. These rules address the cost of generating and delivering electricity, including upfront payments and fees designed to protect customers if projects fail to proceed as planned.
Electricity rates get reviewed
Rather than directly establishing new rates, SB 1168 directs the California Public Utilities Commission to examine how electricity pricing can account for data centers’ energy demand and infrastructure costs, with particular attention to limiting the impact on residential and low-income customers.
Crypto scam victims get a new path to restitution
Effective January 1, 2027, SB 1208 establishes a legal process to seize qualifying cryptocurrency linked to criminal activity and distribute recovered assets to fraud victims, even when a criminal conviction is impossible.
