Jennifer McGrath

Several new laws taking effect in 2026 significantly impact California cities and counties, particularly in the areas of housing and homelessness, public safety and law enforcement, municipal operations and governance, and election administration. jennifermcgrath.com/new-2026-laws-…

What is California municipal law and how does it affect your everyday life? jennifermcgrath.com/california-mun…

Government law (or public law) is a broad area of law practice that deals with the legal framework for local cities and counties (municipal law), state and federal entities, drafting ordinances and legislation, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals in their interactions with state and local government entities. An experienced attorney can provide legal representation to ensure a positive interaction, compliance, due process and fairness. jennifermcgrath.com/california-gov…

Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) introduces the most significant modernization of California’s Brown Act in decades. The law restructures teleconferencing rules, expands accessibility requirements, and applies new mandates to local agencies starting in 2026. jennifermcgrath.com/sb-707-open-me…

Beginning January 1, 2026 Senate Bill 827 expands the mandatory ethics training for local officials to include department heads and similar senior administrative officers and creates a new mandatory fiscal and financial training requirement. jennifermcgrath.com/ab1234-mandato…

California DMV releases proposed regulations allowing truck manufacturers to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicles on roadways and new requirements for light-duty autonomous vehicles. Public comment period ends Dec 18, 2025. dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-an…

The California Privacy Protection Agency Board @CalPrivacy has issued a decision requiring a Nevada-based marketing firm to pay $56,600 in fines and past-due fees for failing to register as a data broker in violation of California’s Delete Act. cppa.ca.gov/announcements/…

Keep track of California court holidays, California Supreme Court @CaSupremeCourt oral argument dates & locations, and Judicial Council meeting dates with the 2026 Calendar from @CalCourts.

California Privacy Protection Agency @CalPrivacy announces approval of new regulations, effective January 1, 2026, which will allow consumers to request deletion of all personal information held by multiple data brokers with a single click. cppa.ca.gov/announcements/…

The California Supreme Court’s work during the 2024–2025 court year took the justices around the state. The court heard oral argument in 52 cases and issued 45 written majority opinions. newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/year-revi…

Out of about 15 California cannabis related bills considered in 2025, 7 were passed by the Legislature, 5 were signed by the Governor, and two were vetoed. jennifermcgrath.com/2025-californi…

On October 17, the San Diego County Planning Commission will receive a staff report on the County's draft Cannabis Program including regulatory requirements, licensing & permitting, and draft Environmental Impact Report. See the prerecorded presentation youtube.com/watch?v=6U0yTs…

California local jurisdictions (cities and counties) have until December 8, 2025, to apply for a Cannabis Equity Grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). business.ca.gov/cannabis-equit…

Read more about California Assembly Bill 1332. jennifermcgrath.com/california-can…

California Governor vetoes AB 1332 stating that the proposed direct-shipping program for medicinal cannabis products would be burdensome and overly complex to administer.

Read more about California Assembly Bill 632. jennifermcgrath.com/california-can…

California Governor vetoes AB 632 indicating concern about the due process rights of homeowners in expanding local authority to place liens on private property to collect nuisance abatement fines for illegal cannabis grows.

California Governor signs Senate Bill 378 regulating online cannabis and hemp marketplaces. jennifermcgrath.com/california-can…

California Governor signs Assembly Bill 8 regulating intoxicating hemp products and integrating them into the state’s cannabis regulatory framework. jennifermcgrath.com/california-can…

Governor signs SB 141 which takes effect immediately and affects funding for track and trace as well as grants to local governments for illicit cannabis enforcement. jennifermcgrath.com/california-can…