CaliforniaSB 8612025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Consumer affairs.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

21 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 5 costs, 6 mixed.

Stronger checks on weights, labels, and fuel sales

The state sets method‑of‑sale rules for gasoline and other motor fuels using the latest national standards. It adopts current national standards for commercial scales and measuring devices; violations are unlawful. Inspectors test packages under national sampling rules and can pull short‑weight lots from sale, require correct labels or refunds, and seize evidence. The state also adopts current national packaging and labeling rules, including exemptions that match federal policy.

Clearer college catalogs and fact sheets

You only enroll by signing an agreement that is enforceable only if the school gave you its current catalog and a School Performance Fact Sheet first, the school was approved, required items were signed and initialed, and you received a copy. Schools must keep your contact details and permanent records of degrees, courses, and grades. Before enrollment, the catalog must clearly show costs, policies, program and licensure details, aid participation, and other key notices (with limited exceptions for some accredited schools). Each program’s fact sheet must show completion, placement, licensure‑exam pass rates, and wage or loan data, with methods and sources explained.

Stronger rules for court reporting schools

The law sets tough quality and transparency rules for court reporting programs. A school’s first‑time exam pass rate must meet or beat the statewide average in most exams across three years, or the board can put it on probation or withdraw recognition. Schools must notify the board within 30 days before offering a program; the board reviews within 60 days, allows provisional recognition, and requires three years of operation and at least one graduate for full recognition. The board can make unannounced inspections, requires catalogs to include clear board contact info and a statement about recognized programs, and schools must file catalogs by June 30 each year with a signed compliance statement. Students get detailed pre‑enrollment materials (pass rates, placement, benchmarks), the right to challenge classes by exam at the same passing score, board‑approved progress benchmarks with at least yearly counseling (extra if behind), and reporting of attendance hours when qualifying for the licensing exam. Training standards include at least 10 hours of live dictation weekly for full‑time students and a qualifier test of four voices, 10 minutes at 200 wpm, graded at 95% accuracy; the board adopted implementing rules.

Check professional licenses and discipline online

Boards must post current license status and discipline online. They do not post personal data like home phone, birth date, or Social Security number. Many boards are covered and must follow the Department of Consumer Affairs’ public‑records rules. The Psychology Board must also list associates, testing techs, and research psychoanalysts.

Clear labels and testing for auto fluids

Engine coolant, prediluted coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and diesel exhaust fluid must be labeled with brand, ingredients, intended use, quantity, lot or batch number, and required warnings. The state uses national standards for how diesel exhaust fluid is sold. Inspectors can sample containers, remove nonconforming lots from sale, and require disposal or other corrective actions.

Honest flame-retardant labels on furniture

Upholstered furniture labels must state if the materials contain added flame‑retardant chemicals or contain none, using required wording and an explanatory note. The bureau selects and sends “NO added” samples to the toxics department for testing each year and pays for the tests; by August 1 each fiscal year, it sets how many tests it can run. If a product labeled “NO added” tests positive, fines apply: first $1,000–$2,500; second $2,500–$5,000; third $5,000–$7,500; later $7,500–$10,000, and the bureau can order corrective labels and extra testing at the maker’s cost. The bureau posts citations online and raises these fines for inflation every five years. The bureau also takes consumer complaints about covered products.

Faster approvals for scales and meters

The Secretary may accept prototype certifications from the National Type Evaluation Program and other jurisdictions. This cuts duplicate testing and speeds device approvals for weights‑and‑measures equipment.

New labor and safety rules for cannabis businesses

Cannabis applicants with 20+ employees, and those with 10+ employees applying on or after July 1, 2024, must submit a notarized statement that they have or will keep a labor peace agreement. Starting July 1, 2024, the state will not renew licenses for businesses with 10+ employees without this statement. On application and renewal, businesses must also attest they employ, or will within one year employ, one supervisor and one employee who finished a 30‑hour Cal/OSHA general industry course; one‑employee firms are exempt. The Agricultural Labor Relations Board reviews complaints about sham labor groups and reports within 90 days; if a group is not bona fide, businesses get up to 180 days to sign with a bona fide group or face violations.

Tougher licensing and tracking for cannabis businesses

Applicants must post a bond to cover costs if cannabis must be destroyed for violations. They must submit detailed operating procedures and a full premises diagram; cultivators must show canopy size and meet water‑source reviews. Owners must submit DOJ/FBI fingerprints and may pay processing fees; prior valid fingerprints can be reused. Applicants must prove landowner consent, provide a seller’s permit (or proof of application), and list all people with a financial interest (passive fund investors are excluded). The state runs a track‑and‑trace system with unique IDs and electronic manifests; tax officials have read access and law enforcement can get records.

New Dental Hygiene Board, fees, inspections

The law creates the Dental Hygiene Board of California through January 1, 2028. The Board approves training, reviews license applications, runs exams, makes rules, and disciplines licensees. It caps key fees: application up to $100, initial license up to $150, and renewal up to $500 every two years. Alternative-practice hygienists must register each site within 30 days and can be inspected; violations can bring fines or discipline. Fees go into the State Dental Hygiene Fund and must cover only regulatory costs.

New rules for speech and hearing licenses

The board may issue a six‑month temporary license to out‑of‑state speech‑language pathologists and audiologists who apply and pay the fee; it ends if the permanent license is denied and may be reissued up to twice. The board also issues a temporary license for required supervised experience; since July 1, 2003, you must hold this license to gain that experience. To renew, you must certify you completed the board’s required continuing professional development hours in the past two years, keep proof for two years, and you may be audited; the board can allow exceptions for good cause.

Stronger student protections at private schools

Private schools cannot make false claims about jobs, pay, training delivery, or accreditation, or pay students to recruit others. Court reporting programs cannot require more than one 10‑minute qualifying test to sit for the state exam, and cannot claim earnings without verified, current data. The Court Reporters Board may adjust fees to cover added oversight costs. The law also repeals three Education Code sections, which may change some program rules.

Contractor fees set; option to go inactive

The board sets contractor fees by rule: application $450 (up to $563), initial license $200, and renewal $450 (up to $563). The late fee is half the renewal fee. Eligible veterans get 50% off covered fees. You can place your license on inactive status for up to four years; you cannot work, and bonds and workers’ comp do not apply while inactive. No renewal refunds are given; to reactivate, apply and pay the active renewal fee.

Clear rules and discipline for fiduciaries

The law defines when someone counts as a professional fiduciary. You count if you serve as guardian or conservator for two or more unrelated people, or as personal representative for two or more unrelated estates, or as trustee/agent for four or more unrelated people. Banks, public agencies, and some nonprofits are excluded. Licenses can be denied or disciplined for crimes, fraud, failure to pay court penalties, and other serious misconduct.

Home improvement sales must be registered

Anyone acting as a home improvement salesperson must register with the board before selling. Before starting, the salesperson must tell the owner or tenant the contractor’s business name and license number. Failing to register or identify the contractor can lead to discipline. Some officers and limited sales situations are exempt.

Medi-Cal pays licensed speech services

Medi‑Cal covers speech and audiology services from licensed providers. Providers may be paid for services performed by supervised staff who are finishing their licensure requirements.

Written contracts now required for private investigators

Private investigators must use a written, legible agreement that names the licensee, shows the license info, scope, fees, and client acknowledgments. The client must get a signed copy before any work begins, and no work or charges may start without written authorization. If a written report is part of the agreement, it must be provided within 30 days of completion. Keep signed agreements and investigative findings for at least two years. These rules take effect July 1, 2025.

Tougher enforcement on certain licensed businesses

The director can suspend, revoke, or refuse licenses issued under Article 6.5 and must use formal hearing rules. Applications can be denied for poor qualifications, past revocations, dishonesty, unlicensed practice, or related crimes. If one Article 6.5 license is revoked or suspended after a hearing, other Article 6.5 licenses in the same name can also be revoked or suspended.

Limits on statements on survey maps

Official survey maps may only show statements the law allows. Surveyors and recorders cannot add other statements to the face of the map.

More fingerprint checks for licenses

Applicants to certain boards must submit fingerprints for state and FBI checks. Boards may charge processing fees. For the Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists board, only new applicants or those seeking a new category must be fingerprinted.

New rules for speech and audiology providers

To be licensed, providers need at least a master’s from a board‑approved school, supervised clinical hours (up to 375), and 36 weeks full‑time or 72 weeks part‑time supervised work. Exams run at least once a year; the board keeps oral‑exam recordings and written exams for two years. Schools can hire or contract licensed clinicians with a master’s who meet Education Code Section 44332.6. Speech or audiology professional corporations may operate if they follow the Professional Corporation Act and board rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/13/2025

Item 167 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 9/13/2025

Item 21 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/16/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 13 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/8/2025

Vote in CX33

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/23/2025

Item 147 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 36 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/29/2025

Vote in CS53