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LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assemblymember Mark González's (D-Los Angeles) AB 476 into law. Amid a statewide surge in copper wire theft and vandalism targeting public infrastructure, this bipartisan legislation strengthens enforcement tools, protects California's critical infrastructure, and holds scrap metal dealers accountable.
"Copper theft does not just cost money...
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law aimed at cracking down on the underground market fueling the surge in copper wire theft that has left many communities, including Boyle Heights, in the dark.
AB 476, authored by State Assemblymember Mark González and signed on Monday, is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Little resistance to the bill: Assemblymember Mark González, who represents areas of L.A. that include downtown and Boyle Heights, introduced the bill in 2025. It had passed the state Assembly and Senate floors unanimously before landing on Newsom's desk. Reaction from Gonzalez: In an Oct. 13 news release, González thanked the governor for signing the bill and said it will lead to California "turning the lights back on." He added that the bill removes "any incentive to steal copper wire or critical public infrastructure," referring to the idea that increased regulation of recyclers will leave
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, on World Mental Health Day, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 727, legislation authored by Assemblymember Mark González (D–Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, to ensure that California students have access to life-saving mental health resources.
The bill comes in direct response to President Donald Trump's recent termination of the 988...
Local officials in Los Angeles are urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would help curb copper wire theft across the state.
At a news conference in downtown LA on Monday, Assemblymember Mark González was joined by LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna and other officials calling on Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 476 (AB 476) Metal Theft.
Local and state leaders gathered under the 6th Street Bridge on Monday to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 476, a bill aimed at curbing copper wire theft across California.
Authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, the bill seeks to address a growing issue that has affected a vital part of infrastructure, particularly in communities like Boyle Heights, where copper wire theft has left the 6th Street Bridge dark for nearly two years.
What’s the status of the bill: Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, who represents downtown L.A. and Boyle Heights — among the neighborhoods most affected by copper wire theft — introduced the bill in February. It passed the state Assembly and Senate floors unanimously. Now, it’s up to Newsom.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles) stood with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, local law enforcement officials, business leaders, and residents to call on Governor Gavin Newsom to sign AB 476 – bipartisan legislation to crack down on copper theft, strengthen...
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