January 5 marked the official start of the 2026 California legislative session, and you can feel the energy in and around the State Capitol. The halls are busy again with lawmakers, staff, and advocates as Sacramento shifts into full policy mode for a critical year ahead.

This is the second year of the two-year 2025–26 session, which means many bills that were carried over last year as two-year measures are now being revived, amended, and pushed toward final action. At the same time, legislators are introducing new proposals in response to emerging issues and evolving priorities across the state.

It is also an election year, with all 80 Assembly seats and the 20 even-numbered Senate seats on the ballot this fall, adding another layer of urgency and political focus to the work ahead. Leadership changes and term limits, including Senator Monique Limón (D–Santa Barbara) serving as Senate President pro Tempore and new Assembly Republican leadership under Heath Flora, R-Ripon, are shaping how both parties approach the session.

Much of the early part of the year will be spent reviewing outstanding legislation, advancing new ideas, and absorbing Governor Newsom’s final budget proposal, which will set the tone for fiscal and policy debates in 2026.

PORAC enters the year with a significant slate of ongoing two-year bills, including several we are actively opposing, along with newly sponsored legislation focused on improving the profession and strengthening public safety. We look forward to working with lawmakers to advance solutions that support peace officers and the communities they serve.

PORAC will continue to keep members informed as the 2026 session unfolds.