Chamber in Action: Review of the 2025-26 Legislative Session by Adam A. Ruiz

The first year of the 2025–26 legislative session has come to a close, and it has been an active season for advocacy on behalf of the Murrieta and Wildomar business community. The Chamber, in collaboration with the Southwest California Legislative Council, has remained focused on ensuring that the needs and perspectives of local employers are represented in Sacramento.

This year, over 2,800 bills were introduced in the Legislature. Of those, 1,124 were signed into law, 123 were vetoed, and 1,100 were converted into two-year bills that will return for further consideration in 2026. Through months of hearings, amendments, and negotiations, the Chamber’s advocacy team monitored legislation, engaged with policymakers, and took official positions on 44 bills to help safeguard a competitive business environment.

The annual Legislative Scorecard (View the 2025 Scorecard Here) once again demonstrated strong support from local representatives for pro-business positions. Senator Kelly Seyarto led the region with a 97% alignment with the Council’s positions, followed closely by Assemblymember Kate Sanchez at 96%, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh at 91%, and Assemblymember Natasha Johnson at 89%. Assemblymember Corey Jackson received a 48% score, reflecting differing priorities on key issues.

Several legislative developments this year have direct implications for businesses and residents in Southwest Riverside County. One of the most significant victories was the passage of Senate Bill 72 by Senator Anna Caballero, the California Water for All measure. This new law sets long-term water supply targets and modernizes how the state manages this critical resource. It brings together local governments, agriculture, and communities to build a more reliable and resilient water system for California’s future.

Early in the legislative session, a key victory for the business community came with the defeat of Senate Bill 310, which attempted to undo last year’s reform to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). During the Chamber’s advocacy trip to Sacramento, opposing SB 310 was a top priority. Chamber representatives met with legislators to highlight how the bill would have reinstated costly and unnecessary legal exposure for employers. Shortly after those meetings, the bill failed to advance, preserving one of the most meaningful pro-business reforms in recent years.

Assembly Bill 226, authored by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, also made progress on a persistent challenge by strengthening the state’s Fair Plan, which serves homeowners who have struggled to find insurance coverage in the private market. The legislation aims to stabilize the program’s finances and help manage the increasing costs and risks associated with property insurance.

On the other side of the ledger, some bills did not become law. Assembly Bill 1400 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, which would have allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing through a limited pilot program, was vetoed by the Governor due to cost concerns and questions about implementation. Senate Bill 7 by Senator Jerry McNerny, which sought to place new restrictions on employers’ use of artificial intelligence in hiring and management, was also vetoed. That decision was welcomed by the business community, which had expressed concern that the measure would have created unnecessary compliance burdens and slowed innovation.

Outside the Legislature, a federal court temporarily blocked enforcement of Senate Bill 399, a law that limited employer communications on labor and political issues. The court’s action allows time for review of the law’s constitutional implications and was seen as a positive development for workplace communication rights.

As the Legislature prepares to reconvene in January, 2026 will bring new challenges and opportunities for California’s business community. More than 1,000 2-year bills will return for debate, and lawmakers are expected to focus on issues such as workforce development, housing, taxation, and technology regulation.

Through it all, the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce will continue its advocacy for local businesses by monitoring legislation, meeting with policymakers, and providing members with timely information. The Chamber remains committed to advancing policies that encourage job creation, foster innovation, and support a healthy business climate for all who live and work in Southwest Riverside County.