New laws affecting Silicon Valley in 2026 - San Jose Spotlight

"Environment Plastic grocery bag ban Senate Bill 1053 closes a loophole in California's plastic bag ban that allowed grocery stores to provide thicker plastic bags labeled as reusable. Under the law, grocery stores are no longer allowed to offer plastic shopping bags at checkout. The law takes effect Jan. 1. Preparing for wildfires Two bills championed by San Jose state Sen. Dave Cortese tackle wildfire resilience."

"The aim is to reduce wildfire risk and address rising insurance costs. Senate Bill 653 clarifies what qualifies as environmentally friendly vegetation management, making it easier for organizations to apply for wildfire prevention grants through Proposition 4, the state's $10 billion climate bond. Senate Bill 429 creates a statewide wildfire safety and risk management program to develop a public wildfire catastrophe model, with funding beginning Sept. 1."

"Abandoned shopping carts Cortese also authored Senate Bill 753 which addresses abandoned shopping carts, which have posed challenges for cities like San Jose as officials work to clear debris from sidewalks and waterways. The law allows cities to return carts directly to retailers and increases the retrieval fee from $50 to $100. It takes effect Jan. 1. Housing Housing near transit stops Senate Bill 79 allows housing developments near major public transportation stops, streamlining approval for higher-density projects."

California lawmakers approved dozens of 2025 laws addressing housing development, wildfire prevention, labor protections, environmental rules and municipal operations. Several measures will take effect in 2026 and shape daily life across Santa Clara County and the state. Senate Bill 1053 bans plastic shopping bags at checkout by closing a reusable-bag loophole, effective Jan. 1. Senate Bills 653 and 429 clarify vegetation management for Proposition 4 grants and create a statewide wildfire safety and risk management program with public catastrophe modeling and funding beginning Sept. 1. Senate Bill 753 raises cart retrieval fees and allows returns to retailers. Senate Bill 79 and Assembly Bill 628 streamline transit-area housing and require landlords to provide functioning stoves and refrigerators.

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