California is ushering in a sweeping set of legal changes in 2026 that will affect employment practices, real estate transactions, and consumer protections for used car buyers, with new laws expanding worker rights, increasing regulatory oversight, and strengthening protections for buyers and tenants.
“In terms of employment, new wage rules, pay transparency expansions, mobility protections, and enforcement powers will take effect in 2026,” said Edwin Aiwazian, CEO of Lawyers for Justice, who specializes in employment law. He noted that employers across the state should prepare for broader compliance obligations and heightened liability.
One of the most immediate changes is a statewide minimum wage increase. As of January 1, 2026, California’s minimum wage rises to $16.90 per hour for all employers, regardless of size, with some local and industry-specific rates already exceeding that level…