What’s going on with justice issues in California in 2026?
Californians voted for a major change in the criminal justice system when they passed Proposition 36 in late 2024, adopting stricter penalties for what had been misdemeanor theft and drug charges. Those adjustments rippled through courtrooms and jails throughout 2025 as thousands of defendants faced a choice of longer sentences in prison or court-directed drug treatment. It also led to fights over money in the Capitol as lawmakers pressed Gov. Newsom for more funding to carry out the initiative.
Some of the highest-profile justice bills in 2025 centered on resisting the Trump administration’s crackdown on unauthorized immigrants, including a new law that would generally prohibit local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks on duty. Those issues likely will return in 2026.
The Legislature also is expected debate measures that would limit elderly parole opportunities for people convicted of sex offenses, a response to the potential release of two high-profile prisoners. Spending on prisons likely will be a recurring issue because of the state’s projected budget deficit.
CalMatters justice team:
- Editor Adam Ashton, [email protected]
- Justice Reporter Nigel Duara, [email protected]
- Justice Reporter Cayla Mihalovich, [email protected]
- Justice Reporter Joe Garcia, [email protected]
- Immigration Reporter Wendy Fry, [email protected]
Quick Facts
- Prison: There are about 90,000 inmates in prison, down from 124,000 in January 2020. That trend allowed Gov. Newsom to close five prisons.
- Guns: California’s is among the lowest states in the deaths by gun, just more than half the US average.
- Prop. 36: In the first six months of 2025, about 9,000 people faced charges under Prop. 36 that gave them a choice between drug treatment or a felony offense leading to up to three years in prison. About 15% of them opted for treatment.
Justice Bills
In Focus
Here are all of the justice-related bills considered this session with the highlighted bills identified by CalMatters as among the most significant this year.
AB 1537 In Progress
This bill would prohibit California law enforcement offices from taking secondary employment — moonlighting — with a federal agency, such as the Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
AB 2727 In Progress
This bill would prohibit people convicted of serious sex offenses from participating in the state's elderly release program for inmates over age 50.
AB 1383 In Progress
This bill would allow police, firefighters and correctional officers to retire with a full CalPERS pension at 55 rather than 57, and with a higher cap on their retirement income. Local governments oppose it because it has the potential to increase their payroll costs and pension obligations
AB 1140 In Progress
This bill would expand opportunities for incarcerated people to have their own cells rather than sharing a cell with someone else by creating a pilot program at four state prisons.
SCR 89
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
AB 2574 In Progress
Trespass.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
AB 1905
Juveniles: custodial interrogation.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Juveniles: custodial interrogation.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
AB 1727
Crimes: unlawful use of DNA.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
Crimes: unlawful use of DNA.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
AB 1827
Small claims court: jurisdiction.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary
Small claims court: jurisdiction.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary
Key Players
Legislative Leaders
These are the key legislative leaders on justice issues as identified by CalMatters.
Jesse Arreguín
District 7, Oakland
Kelly Seyarto
District 32, Murrieta
Laura Richardson
District 35, Inglewood
Tom Lackey
District 34, Palmdale
Nick Schultz
District 44, Burbank
Juan Alanis
District 22, Modesto
James Ramos
District 45, San Bernardino
Lori Wilson
District 11, Suisun City
Non-Legislator leaders
These are the people who have been most active on justice legislation based on their testimony in a hearing or the number of positions they have taken on related bills.
