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 thieves with fewer places to sell their stolen goods.
