California's Nearly 800 New Laws for 2026: Minimum Wage, Plastic Bags, Declawing, and More

New Minimum Wage and Shopping Regulations

• 💰 The statewide minimum wage in California will increase to $16.90 per hour in 2026, a rise of $0.40 from the 2025 rate.
• 🛍️ A ban on plastic bags will take effect at grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies, with paper bags costing customers $0.10 each.

Animal Welfare Laws

• 🐾 A new law will ban the practice of declawing cats, except when medically necessary, aiming to prevent painful procedures.
• 🩺 The California Veterinary Medical Association has expressed opposition, citing concerns about restricting veterinary practices.

Consumer and Worker Protections

• 🚗 A first-in-the-nation policy will allow buyers to return a used car within 3 days if purchased for less than a certain amount (amount not specified).
• 🤝 Another law will formally allow rideshare drivers to unionize, providing new collective bargaining opportunities.

Law Enforcement and Public Trust

• 👮‍♂️ In most situations, local law enforcement officers will be prohibited from covering their faces while on duty, a measure intended to improve trust between officers and communities.
• ⚖️ The Trump administration is suing to block this law, while Democrats argue it's necessary to prevent "secret police type operations."