Some of the 807 laws passed in 2015 will affect everyday issues faced by Californians. Utilities are now required to have 50 percent of their energy come from renewable energy, such as solar and wind, by 2030. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has been granted new authority to protect monarch butterflies.
Law enforcement must obtain search warrants to look at a suspect’s private emails, text messages, and GPS data stored in smart phones, laptops, and in “the cloud.” And law enforcement agencies must develop a system by 2018 that collects and reports information on people they stop, including the reason for the stop, the race or ethnic background of the person contacted, and the outcome of the stop.
Parents will no longer be able to waive vaccinations for their children by citing personal beliefs. All students must show proof of vaccination by the start of school in the fall. The California High School Exit Exam, which has been required for graduation, has been suspended for three years.
