California extends Cartwright Act to single-firm monopolization, with enforcement limited to AG and district attorneys

Key points

• Chapter 826, Statutes of 2026, adds Business and Professions Code sections 16730 to 16732; with no urgency clause, it takes effect January 1, 2027.California Legislative Information
• Prohibits any person from monopolizing or monopsonizing any part of trade or commerce; courts must apply the In re Cipro Cases I & II framework.California Legislative Information
• Only the attorney general or a district attorney may bring an action; a private right of action was removed before passage.California Legislative InformationPalo Alto Online (CalMatters)
• Plaintiffs must allege and prove substantial market power through direct or indirect evidence, and actions are filed as complex cases.California Legislative Information
• Exempts California small businesses with 100 or fewer employees and average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less.California Legislative Information
• Newsom wrote that the bar must not be set too low and said he expects courts to penalize clear wrongdoing without needless uncertainty.Palo Alto Online (CalMatters)

Sources3 articles across 3 outlets

• California Legislative Information

  • Bill Text - AB-1776 Cartwright Act: violations.Sept. 30, 2026

• Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

  • Governor Newsom signs historic law to stop big business from shutting out competition, cuts red tape to speed up business permittingSept. 30, 2026

• Palo Alto Online (CalMatters)

  • Newsom signs anti-monopoly bill after bruising legislative battleSept. 30, 2026

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