2021 California Legislation Highlights: A Challenging But Productive Year

Gov. Gavin Newsom officially marked the close of the California 2021 legislative year with the final strokes of his pen to veto and sign legislation on October 10, 2021. This year was noted by a stressful environment stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, another round of devastating wildfires and the looming and ultimately unsuccessful recall of the governor. The year also saw an unprecedented budget surplus, allowing state leaders to fund priority projects at historic levels.

Wine Institute advocacy efforts were successful, advocating for the largest budget allocation ever for wildfire prevention and the passage of priority alcohol beverage control legislation signed by the governor. Wine Institute also advocated against misguided labor and environmental proposals harmful to California businesses. Many of these proposals failed passage in the legislature or were vetoed by the governor.

Click here for a complete list of the 2021 legislative items impacting Wine Institute members. All bills are labeled as signed by the governor, vetoed by the governor or as having failed passage in the legislature. Since this year is the first year of a two-year legislative cycle, bills that failed passage in the legislature will be eligible to be reheard next year. Bills that were signed by the governor will go into effect on January 1, 2022, unless otherwise stated.

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