Some Stats on 2026 Gubernatorial Bill Actions

On the last day for bill actions (September 30), California Governor Gavin Newsom finished reviewing the 1,160 bills that were sent to his Desk during the 2026 Legislative Session. That figure was the third highest number of bills he has received during his eight years in office.

Of those 1,160 bills, he signed 1,040 and vetoed 120, for a veto rate of 10.3% The average veto rate over the past decade has been 15%, so this year’s rate is below that average. 

Signed Bills

Of the 1,040 bills that Governor Newsom signed, which is 89.7% of the bills that reached his Desk, 652 were Assembly Bills (63% of the signed bills) and 388 were Senate Bills (37% of the signed bills). Of the 652 ABs signed into law, 81% were authored by Democrats, while 13% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 6% were committee bills). Of the 388 SBs signed into law, 76% were authored by Democrats, while 9% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 15% were committee bills).

Vetoed Bills

Of the 120 bills that Governor Newsom vetoed which is 10.3% of the bills that reached his Desk, 89 were Assembly Bills (74% of the vetoed bills) and 31 were Senate Bills (26% of the vetoed bills). Of the 89 ABs vetoed, 89% were authored by Democrats, while 11% were authored by Republicans. Of the 31 SBs vetoed, 94% were authored by Democrats, while 6% were authored by Republicans.

Comparison to 2025 Gubernatorial Bill Actions

917 bills were sent to his Desk during the 2025 Legislative Session, including 913 regular session bills and 4 special session bills. That figure was in the middle in terms of the number of bills he has received during his seven years in office.

Of those 917 bills, he signed 794 and vetoed 123, for a veto rate of 13.4% The average veto rate over the past decade has been 15%, so this year’s rate is slightly below that average. 

Of the special session bills, there was 1 AB and 3 SBs of the 4 bills that reached the Governor’s Desk. All four bills were signed and all four were authored by Democratic legislators. Of the regular session bills (913) that reached the Governor’s Desk, there were 549 ABs and 364 SBs.

Signed Bills

Of the 917 bills that Governor Newsom signed, which is 86.6% of the bills that reached his Desk, 476 were Assembly Bills (60% of the signed bills) and 318 were Senate Bills (40% of the signed bills). Of the 476 ABs signed into law, 79% were authored by Democrats, while 13% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 8% were committee bills). Of the 318 SBs signed into law, 79% were authored by Democrats, while 8.8% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 12.2% were committee bills).

Vetoed Bills

Of the 123 bills that Governor Newsom vetoed which is 13.4% of the bills that reached his Desk, 74 were Assembly Bills (60% of the vetoed bills) and 49 were Senate Bills (40% of the vetoed bills). Of the 74 ABs vetoed, 90.5% were authored by Democrats, while 9.5% were authored by Republicans. Of the 49 SBs vetoed, 98% were authored by Democrats, while 2% were authored by Republicans.

Comparison to 2024 Gubernatorial Bill Actions

1,206 bills were sent to his Desk during the 2024 Legislative Session. That figure was the highest number of bills he has received during his six years in office.

Of those 1,206 bills, he signed 1,017 and vetoed 189, for a veto rate of 15.7% The average veto rate over the past decade has been 15%, so this year’s rate is slightly above that average.

Signed Bills

Of the 1,017 bills that Governor Newsom signed, which is 84% of the bills that reached his Desk, 668 were Assembly Bills (66% of the signed bills) and 349 were Senate Bills (34% of the signed bills). Of the 668 ABs signed into law, 78% were authored by Democrats, while 12% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 10% were committee bills). Of the 349 SBs signed into law, 81% were authored by Democrats, while 9% were authored by Republicans (the remaining 10% were committee bills).

Vetoed Bills

Of the 189 bills that Governor Newsom vetoed which is 15.7% of the bills that reached his Desk, 123 were Assembly Bills (65% of the vetoed bills) and 66 were Senate Bills (35% of the vetoed bills). Of the 123 ABs vetoed, 85% were authored by Democrats, while 14% were authored by Republicans (1% was a committee bill). Of the 66 SBs vetoed, 86% were authored by Democrats, while 14% were authored by Republicans.