NextGen California touts 2026 wins and eyes new legislative fight

NextGen California says its 2026 advocacy helped secure new laws on climate, food access, higher education, voting rights, workforce training and AI as Governor Gavin Newsom finished his final bill signings. The group says the gains set up a broader push under California’s next governor and legislature.

Why it matters: - NextGen California says its 2026 agenda helped turn policy pressure into state law on issues that affect household costs, worker protections and access to public services. - The group is now shifting focus to the next administration, where it plans to press for more action on climate, health care workforce shortages and economic security. - The session’s outcome shows how advocacy groups are trying to shape the policy runway before California gets new executive and legislative leadership.

What happened: - Governor Gavin Newsom completed his final round of bill signings, and NextGen California highlighted 39 bills signed this year that the group supported. - NextGen California also said AB 2301, which would have expanded access to bachelor’s degrees in nursing, was vetoed for the third time. - Executive Director Arnold Sowell Jr. said California families are facing pressure from housing, gas, electricity and food costs and need urgent action from incoming leaders. - Sowell also thanked Newsom and his team for work over eight years on climate change, housing, digital equity, consumer protections, school meals and voting rights.

The details: - SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act, protects workers from harms tied to employers’ use of automated decision systems. - SB 327 limits for-profit utilities from charging ratepayers to lobby against local efforts to municipalize energy service. - SB 868 makes portable solar generation more accessible for renters and apartment dwellers. - SB 886 requires the California Public Utilities Commission to establish an electrical corporation tariff on data centers with a peak load demand of at least 25 megawatts and requires data centers to pay their own electricity costs. - SB 913 lets customer-owned resources such as home batteries and smart thermostats be used to support grid reliability and lower costs. - AB 1857 blocks restrictive covenants that keep grocery stores and supermarkets out of otherwise suitable commercial properties. - AB 1159 modernizes student data protections and expands privacy safeguards. - AB 2251 increases transparency in institutional cost-of-attendance calculations and standardizes the adjustment process for financial aid. - AB 2422 protects students from being penalized for financial-aid delays beyond their control. - AB 1807 prohibits use of state-owned property for certain federal immigration enforcement activities. - SB 1164 prohibits election policies and practices that result in, or are likely to result in, voter suppression. - SB 1360 ensures eligible voters can access voting materials in their preferred language. - SB 845 expands high school youth apprenticeship through recommendations tied to the Master Plan for Career Education and the California Youth Apprenticeship Committee. - SB 1012 creates pathways for incarcerated people with fire camp experience to move into stable, union-affiliated skilled trades jobs. - NextGen California said AB 2301 would have expanded bachelor’s degree access in nursing to help address the state’s nursing shortage.

Between the lines: - The bill list shows a broad strategy: tie climate, labor, education and democracy policies to concrete cost-of-living and access issues. - The veto of AB 2301 suggests some of NextGen California’s most ambitious education and workforce goals will likely have to wait for the next governor. - The group is positioning itself as both a policy advocate and a pressure campaign for the next political cycle.

What’s next: - NextGen California said it will engage the next administration and push for a broader review of how community colleges can expand four-year degree offerings, especially in shortage fields like nursing. - The organization said it will keep organizing with partners, developing policy and budget proposals, sharing information with the public and holding state leaders accountable. - NextGen California is also preparing to advocate for new policies on climate, health care workforce capacity and other community-driven priorities.

The bottom line: - NextGen California leaves the Newsom era with a legislative record it can point to, but the group says the bigger fight is just beginning under California’s next leaders.