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Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1204 into law, increasing transparency and strengthening legislative oversight of California's regulatory process.
SB 1204 requires the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to report to the Legislature within 60 days whenever it disapproves a proposed regulation, including the specific reasons for the disapproval.
"Transparency is fundamental to accountable government," said Senator Ochoa Bogh. "With the signing of SB 1204, the Legislature will have greater visibility into significant regulatory decisions, allowing lawmakers to better oversee state agencies and ensure Californians are well represented throughout the rulemaking process."
The OAL plays a key role in reviewing regulations from more than 200 state agencies to ensure they meet standards for clarity, necessity, and legal validity. However, under current law, when the OAL disapproves a regulation, it is only returned to the agency without any requirement to notify the Legislature.
This gap in communication limits transparency and can leave lawmakers unaware of significant regulatory actions and their potential impacts.
SB 1204 addresses this issue by requiring formal reporting to the Legislature, giving policymakers better insight into regulatory decisions and improving accountability across state government.
SB 1204 will take effect on January 1, 2027.