California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 1 D cosponsors

SB 1365 — Price gouging.

Last action — Approved by the Governor.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 20, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill addresses price gouging practices during emergencies.

This legislation targets price gouging by establishing regulations during times of declared emergency. It aims to ensure fair pricing for essential goods and services when demand surges.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means consumers may pay fairer prices for essential goods during emergencies.

Summary

Price gouging.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 1 section(s) of the California codes: Section 396 of the Penal Code.

  • Section 396 of the Penal Code

    However, a greater price increase is not unlawful if that goods, or If However, a greater price increase is not unlawful that goods, or However, a greater price increase is not unlawful A rental price increase greater than the amount in paragraph (1) is not unlawful However, a greater price increase is not unlawful that goods, or If However, a greater price increase is not unlawful that goods, or hotel However, a greater price increase is not unlawful However, a greater rental price increase is not unlawful if that person can prove that the increase is directly attributable to additional costs for repairs or additions beyond normal maintenance that were amortized over the rental term that caused the rent to be increased greater than 10 percent or that an increase was contractually agreed to by the tenant prior to the proclamation or declaration. It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this subdivision that an increase in rental price was based on the length of the rental term, the inclusion of additional goods or services, except as provided in paragraph (11) of subdivision (j) with respect to furniture, or that the rent was offered by, or paid by, an insurance company, or other third party, on behalf of a tenant. This subdivision does not authorize a landlord to charge a price greater than the amount authorized by a local rent control ordinance. any Contractors’ housing with an initial lease term of no longer than one year, SEC. 2. → (1) (2) (A) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision if either of the following: (i) That goods. (ii) That the increase in price was (B) If (1) (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision either of the following: (A) That goods. (B) That the increase in price was (1) (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision SEC. 1.5. Section 396 of the Penal Code is amended to read: war, (1) (2) (A) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision either of the following: (i) That goods. (ii) That the increase in price was (B) If (1) (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision either of the following: (A) That goods. (B) That the increase in price was (1) hotel’s (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision (1) (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of price gouging pursuant to this subdivision if that person can prove either of the following:(A) That an increase was contractually agreed to by the tenant prior to the proclamation or declaration.(B) That the increase was directly attributable to additional costs for repairs or additions beyond normal maintenance incurred within the year prior to the proclamation or declaration and either of the following is true:(i) The housing was rented, advertised for rent, or offered for rent at the time the costs were incurred.(ii) That person can prove that within a year before the proclamation or declaration, the intent to offer the housing for rent within six months of the repair or addition already existed.(3) It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this subdivision that an increase in rental price was based on the length of the rental term, the inclusion of additional goods or services, except as provided in paragraph (11) of subdivision (j) with respect to furniture, or that the rent was offered by, or paid by, an insurance company, or other third party, on behalf of a tenant. This subdivision does not authorize a landlord to charge a price greater than the amount authorized by a local rent control ordinance. a war, Contractors housing, Housing advertised, offered, or charged at a daily rate following a declaration or proclamation of emergency, but that was not advertised, offered, or charged at a daily rate in the year prior to the declaration or proclamation of emergency, shall be subject to a rental price that is one-thirtieth of the rental price described in subparagraph (B). (13) “War” means any of the following:(A) A time during which Congress has declared war and peace has not been formally restored.(B) A time during which the United States is engaged in active military operations against any foreign state, whether or not war has been formally declared.(C) A time during which the United States is assisting the United Nations, in actions involving the use of armed force, to maintain or restore international peace and security.(D) The prohibitions and associated penalties, pursuant to a proclamation or declaration of a state of emergency for war, shall apply only upon the proclamation or declaration by the President of the United States or the Governor and shall apply only for the essential consumer goods or services for which the Attorney General issues a written opinion, consistent with Section 12519 of the Government Code, finding a sufficient nexus between the war at issue and increases in the prices of those goods or services. The prohibitions and associated penalties shall apply only for a period of 30 days following the proclamation or declaration but may be extended for additional periods of 30 days, if deemed necessary. An extension also may authorize specified price increases that exceed the amount that would be perm

    amended

Action History

  1. Approved by the Governor.

  2. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

  3. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 27. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  4. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  5. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 48. Noes 19. Page 7007.) Ordered to the Senate.

  6. Ordered to third reading.

  7. Read third time and amended.

  8. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  9. Assembly Rule 63 suspended.

  10. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 13).

  11. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  12. August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.

  13. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  14. Coauthors revised.

  15. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 8. Noes 3.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  16. Referred to Coms. on JUD. and PUB. S.

  17. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  18. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 9. Page 4502.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  19. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  20. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 4274.) (May 14).

  21. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  22. Set for hearing May 14.

  23. May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  24. Set for hearing May 4.

  25. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 3984.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  26. Set for hearing April 21.

  27. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 10. Noes 2. Page 3757.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  28. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  29. Set for hearing April 7.

  30. Referred to Coms. on JUD. and PUB. S.

  31. Read first time.

  32. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  33. Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 120 not signed on · 17 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

  • Kalra

Not signed on (120)

120 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 120 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Do pass as amended.

Passed 11 Yea · 3 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 0301
Total 11301
% of votes cast 73%20%0%7%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Nay
Ta, Tri Republican Nay
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 5 Yea · 1 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5002
Republican 0101
Total 5103
% of votes cast 56%11%0%33%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Not Voting
Ramos, James C. Democratic Not Voting
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Not Voting
Lackey, Tom Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]

Passed 8 Yea · 3 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 8001
Republican 0300
Total 8301
% of votes cast 67%25%0%8%
How each member voted (12)
Member Party Vote
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Not Voting
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Nay
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Sanchez, Kate Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading

Passed 29 Yea · 9 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 29001
Republican 0901
Total 29902
% of votes cast 73%23%0%5%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Not Voting
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Nay
Choi, Steven S. Republican Nay
Dahle, Megan Republican Not Voting
Grove, Shannon Republican Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay
Strickland, Tony Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]

Passed 10 Yea · 2 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 10001
Republican 0200
Total 10201
% of votes cast 77%15%0%8%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Not Voting
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety finance housing labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 1365 do?
Price gouging.
Who sponsors SB 1365?
SB 1365 is sponsored by Kalra and Allen, Benjamin (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 1365?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 20, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 1365?
Track SB 1365 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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