AB 690, a bill aimed at ending the use of privatized flat-fee contracts for indigent defense services in California, has passed the Senate Public Safety Committee and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with supporters arguing that it would improve justice outcomes and save counties money over time.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed 16 new judges to county trial courts across the state, including six in Los Angeles County, one in Merced County, one in Orange County, one in San Diego County, two in San Francisco County, three in Santa Clara County, one in San Joaquin County, and one in Tulare County.
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments has released a draft plan for the 2025 Blueprint, which aims to accommodate 580,000 new residents, 278,000 new homes, and 263,000 jobs by 2050, while promoting equity, transportation efficiency, and climate resilience, and is open for public comment until August 8.
SB 61, authored by Sen. Dave Cortese, aims to ease financial strain on contractors by reducing the amount of money withheld from construction contractors and subcontractors on private projects from 10 percent to 5 percent, bringing private-sector rules in line with public works standards.
ICE agents have detained five people in Sacramento federal courtrooms after the Trump administration rescinded guidance to avoid making arrests at places of worship and at immigration appointments.
The California State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1231, which would allow judges to offer pretrial diversion for people charged with certain nonviolent felonies, providing them with rehabilitative services and reducing recidivism.
AB 690, a bill authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, has passed through the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the Appropriations Committee, aiming to eliminate flat-fee contracts for indigent defense in California and provide greater oversight, transparency, and fairness to the state’s fragmented public defense system.
California has allocated over $1 billion to bolster prosecution efforts, while only $150 million has been directed to indigent defense, creating an uneven playing field and undermining the constitutional promise of equal justice.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2025-26 budget proposal includes $6.1 billion for behavioral health and substance use care, but advocates say it fails to fund critical criminal justice reforms, particularly those required to implement Proposition 36, and eliminates $1 billion in annual funding for homelessness response.
Governor Newsom’s May Revision budget proposal includes reforms to CEQA to cut bureaucratic red tape on housing development, but counties are frustrated with the lack of additional homelessness funding.
The ACLU is condemning Governor Newsom’s call for cities and counties to adopt a model ordinance banning homeless encampments on public property, calling it “cruel and inhumane” and urging local officials to reject it, instead urging the governor and state legislators to establish a long-term funding solution to ensure housing for all.
Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new statewide initiative to provide local governments with clear guidance and legal tools to address homeless encampments swiftly and humanely, and has committed to giving every local government in the state the path forward.
AB 1154, authored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, aims to simplify and unify the rules governing small ADUs in California, making it easier for homeowners to contribute to the state’s housing supply.