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Legislature Amends Civic Center Act to Authorize Charging Users a Proportionate Cost of Wear and Tear on Facilities

Effective October 1, 2025, Assembly Bill (AB) 503 permanently restored the ability of school districts to include a proportionate share of the costs of facility maintenance and repairs in the fees charged to users of nonclassroom facilities and grounds.

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California Court of Appeal Addresses Disruptions of Public Meetings Under the Brown Act

The California First District Court of Appeal recently ruled in Berkeley People’s Alliance v. City of Berkeley (2025) 114 Cal.App.5th 984, that the City of Berkeley may have violated the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act) when it moved several City Council meetings to smaller rooms in response to public disruptions.

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From Backlash to Balance: AB 495 Redefines Caregiver Authority

After months of heated legislative debate, California’s Assembly Bill (AB) 495 has emerged from the legislative gauntlet with a markedly revised final form.

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Ninth Circuit Rules Age Act Does Not Apply to Medical Residency Admissions

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the federal Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Age Act) does not apply to decisions about whether to admit applicants to medical residency programs.

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New Law Expands Students’ Rights at Graduation Ceremonies

Assembly Bill (AB) 1369 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 26, 2025. The bill strengthens and clarifies students’ existing right to wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance during graduation ceremonies and related school events.

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CEQA Reforms: Legislature Adds Exemptions and Revises Review Process (Update)

On October 11, 2025, the Governor signed an additional bill, SB 158, that made further changes to CEQA, including cleaning up parts of the provisions added by AB 130 and SB 131, and appropriating $2,106,000 from the General Fund to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to support implementation of SB 131.

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New Laws Targeting Antisemitism in Schools Aim to Redefine How Schools Respond to Discrimination

On October 7, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 715 and Senate Bill (SB) 48, which together broaden antidiscrimination provisions in the Education Code to further address antisemitism, impose new obligations for local educational agencies (LEAs) to investigate and respond to allegations of discrimination, and create the California Office of Civil Rights to support and monitor LEAs in

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AB 361 Authorizes “Best Value” Procurement for School District Construction Projects Over $1 Million

Assembly Bill (AB) 361 allows school districts to use a “best value” procurement method for construction projects exceeding $1 million.

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California Legislature Amends Multiple Housing Laws in Budget Trailer Bill

On June 30, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 130, one of the “budget trailer bills” implementing the State’s 2025-26 budget, into law.

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