By Pamela Dozois

Contributing Writer

Robbie Kaye is creativity in motion. As an artist, composer, classical musician, photographer, and former gymnast, she has never stopped exploring the myriads of ways of bringing beauty into this world. Kaye has performed and composed music for many years in New York and Portland, Oregon, before she transitioned into photography and painting. Kaye’s work has been exhibited internationally in museums and galleries and has been featured in numerous publications such as LensCulture, Lenscratch, Gourmet, and Marie Claire magazines. She has a permanent exhibit at the University of California, some pieces of which have been stolen. Her work is also in the hands of private collectors throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Three years ago, Kaye returned to her music roots after receiving a box of her old cassettes and started writing and recording again. She will be performing at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang on Thursday, Aug. 7, in a Songwriters in the Round event with Arwen Lewis, Toni Land, and Emily Zuzik. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the performance will start at 8 p.m. Lost Chord Guitars is at 1576 Copenhagen Drive, Ste 101, Solvang.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she says her first experience of life consisted of tall buildings and cement parks until her parents sent her to summer camp at the age of 5. It was then that she said she took her first breath of fresh air, experienced nature in all its glory, and realized that she was destined to replicate the wonder and beauty she had experienced in those summer months. They were the foundation for her love of art and all the elements of nature.

As a child, she studied gymnastics and was trained in classical piano. After graduating from high school, she attended a college in Georgia because it had a good gymnastics program, and as a gymnast, she wanted to compete collegiately.

“It was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I went from being a popular student in New York to being a social outcast. I quit the gymnastics team because I didn’t feel like I fit in in general. I had a hard time living in a rural setting and in such a different culture. And being a sensitive person didn’t help. I was extraordinarily shy, even to this day, although people I know will laugh at that statement.”

She eventually found her tribe and returned to gymnastics, but competing was no longer in her future.

“During spring training, I landed incorrectly and hurt my back,” she said. “Since I couldn’t do gymnastics any longer, I turned to my other love, which was music. I had been classically trained in piano in New York, so I took music courses instead. When I returned to New York for Christmas vacation, I was immediately put into the hospital for back surgery. I had a herniated disc and never returned to school. Georgia was really character-building, to put it mildly, but I eventually found my niche.”

Instead, she applied to Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying jazz and majoring in composition and piano.

“The first band I was in was a country band where I played piano. It was at a venue called Swampland,” she said.

After a year and a half at Berklee, Kaye returned to Long Island and joined a rock ‘n’ roll band in 1979.

“We made a 45 record, performed in New York City, got on the radio, and, like most bands, we broke up,” she said. “At the ripe age of 22, I moved to Manhattan and pursued a music career by collaborating with other musicians. In the interim, I tried working 9-to-5 jobs, but I just couldn’t handle it for very long. I’d hang in there for four months, and then I had to move on to the next job. I even wrote a song about Manhattan.

“My grandmother wanted me to be a paralegal and go to secretarial school. She would take me shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue and buy me power suits. So, by day I wore a power suit to work, and by night I wore black leather pants, performing in shows in Greenwich Village.”

In the early 1990s Kaye had her own band, five girls and one guy, called Reverend Tribble & the Angels. Kaye’s journey as a songwriter is rooted in a deep love of music and a dedication to her craft.

“I started writing my own songs when I was 16, when my parents told me they were getting a divorce. It was a means of expressing my sadness at the time, and I continued writing lyrics for my own music,” she continued. “I also had the good fortune of being signed to Warner Chappell Music as a staff songwriter. The following year, one of the songs I co-wrote was for Disney Records, and the following year, the same song was placed in a Disney film.”

A change in her personal life meant a change in location.

“I married and moved to Portland, where I recorded a CD called Two Separate Worlds and formed my own group, and as a duo we performed both on the east and west coasts for a few years,” she continued. The marriage didn’t last, but we have remained friends.”

During the millennium Kaye decided to change course and return to school.

“I quit the music scene for the first time in 2000 and went back to school to study creative writing and literature. I continued writing and recording but got out of the business side of it,” she continued. “I moved to the Oregon coast for six months, where I traded music for my room and board. While I was there, I took writing classes through Portland State University in Cannon Beach, Oregon, then moved to Santa Cruz to continue studying and got a job at UC Santa Cruz while attending school there. I then moved to Santa Monica and worked for the Dean of Admissions at USC while continuing my studies. I registered for a new semester at USC and took my first photography and poetry class with the California Poet Laureate, Carol Muske-Dukes who I later collaborated with for the 125th anniversary of USC in 2005. We created a poetry/photography book for the occasion focusing on the school’s architecture and landscapes. I pursued a photographic career, and in 2009 I traveled the country interviewing women who were in their 70s and older at their weekly beauty parlor appointments and created a photographic book called ‘Beauty & Wisdom.’”

In 2013, Kaye moved to the Valley, launched her book, and started painting motorcycle tire treads on T-shirts, sweatshirts, and on canvas, selling them in a business she started. She said it was then that she became interested in resin.

“I continued with my photography and transitioned into abstract expressionism, painting trees for a collection called ‘Naked Trees’ and another called ‘All Dressed Up & Everywhere to Go,’ which can be viewed and purchased at Helen’s Hair Studio in Santa Ynez,” said Kaye.

Kaye’s new single, “Clear Blue Sky,” was released Aug. 5 on Spotify and all listening platforms, and she is presently writing and recording songs for film, TV, and ads.

Over the years, Kaye said she has had the honor of co-writing with remarkable songwriters, including the legendary Doc Pomus, respected hitmaker Clay Mills, multi-award-winning producer Elliott Lanam, Mark Cruz, and Julian Cassia. She has also demonstrated her versatility by scoring the music for two musicals: “Afterlife” by Bob Fenster and “The Continuing Adventures of Anne and Jack” by Josh Goldman. Robbie’s song, “Big Red Truck,” has been played on NPR Radio and national daytime television.

She has since remarried in 2006, has an art studio in Santa Ynez, and is continuing to be a creative force of nature.

For more information, visit www.robbiekaye.com or email robbie@robbiekaye.com.

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Staff Report

On Friday, Aug. 1, NatureTrack Foundation, in partnership with the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, invites the community to a special summer screening of two remarkable films celebrating nature and the power of connection.

The evening opens with “The Long Kiss,” a charming 2.5-minute animated short by Russian student filmmaker Ivan Khanzhi that follows two river snails in a heartwarming attempt to overcome their natural sluggishness for a chance at love.

The feature film, “Fishpeople” (48 mins), is a stunning documentary presented by Patagonia and directed by local filmmaker Keith Malloy. Winner of Best Feature at the 2018 NatureTrack Film Festival, the film shares the transformative stories of surfers, swimmers, spearfishers, and others whose lives have been changed by their connection to the sea.

This free community event offers a unique opportunity to experience world-class, nature-focused cinema right here in the Santa Ynez Valley. The screening will take place at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, located at 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave., in Los Olivos. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the screening begins promptly at 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.

About NatureTrack

NatureTrack Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011 with the mission of connecting people to nature through cost-free, curriculum-aligned outdoor field trips for K–12 students. Based in Santa Barbara County, NatureTrack has since expanded its impact with the Freedom Trax program, which enables wheelchair users to explore beaches and trails with independence and dignity. NatureTrack also produces the NatureTrack Film Festival, celebrating nature through film and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Learn more at www.naturetrack.org

About Santa Ynez Valley Grange

The Santa Ynez Valley Grange  No. 644 has served as a cornerstone of community life in the Santa Ynez Valley since its founding in 1937.  As part of the national and State Grange organizations the SYV Grange is dedicated to promoting agriculture, education, and community enrichment.  The historic hall hosts a variety of public and private events, bringing people together in the spirit of cooperation, learning, and local culture.

Learn more at www.syvgrange.org

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To be eligible for the Dean’s List, Muhlenberg College students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or better while taking three or more course units during a semester.

Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg is a highly selective, four-year residential, liberal arts college in the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, with nearly 2,000 bachelor’s and master’s degree-seeking students. The college’s curriculum and experiences are designed to open doors to new ideas, discoveries, friendships, and a lifetime of personal and intellectual growth.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District has named Sean Yamasaki as its wrestling head coach. 

Yamasaki just graduated from San Francisco State with a BS in Kinesiology with Cum Laude honors. He is a 2020 graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta.

“We are extremely excited to bring Sean on board as our new wrestling coach,” SYHS Athletic Director Josh McClurg said. “Coach Yamasaki comes from a highly decorated and well-known wrestling family on the Central Coast. His father and brother were highly decorated wrestlers, and his father coached at Dos Pueblos High School as well. 

“Sean has amassed a ton of honors as a high school and college wrestler, and we can’t wait to see him pass his knowledge on to our wrestling team. Our athletes will benefit greatly from his wrestling knowledge from competing at the college level, as well as the top-level coaching staff he is currently assembling.”

At Dos Pueblos High, Sean finished his high school career as one of only three wrestlers in Channel League history to be a four-time league champion. He was a three-time CIF Southern Section top 10 competitor, finishing second, third, and sixth. He was a top 12 finisher at the CIF Southern Section Masters two different years and was named Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Year in 2020. After high school, Sean wrestled for four years at the NCAA Division II level for San Francisco State. He was named team captain and finished in sixth place at NCAA Super Region 6 tournament as well as third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference tournament.
 
“In my opinion, Sean’s biggest accomplishment is being a four-time NCWA Academic All-American,” McClurg said. “This is a great example for our athletes to see that their coach excelled in the classroom and on the mat.”

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July’s featured art is sponsored by Face in Water: Swimming and Water Safety Education and includes artwork from Mauricia Martin, Theresa Reilly, Adam Hrehor, Sohia Briseno, Perla Orellana, and Mila Phonthongsy. You can see their original artwork at buellton.art/2025-july-ocean-art-feature/

This project is made possible by Buellton’s Art & Culture Program, the California Nature Art Museum (our nonprofit partner), monthly sponsorships, and the support of the Buellton community.

Go to Buellton.Art to:

• See all of the banners and the original art for each design
• Learn about Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program and see how you or your organization can apply for a grant
• Visit our “Shop the Art” store, where you can purchase the art on posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more.

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The Santa Barbara County’s Agricultural Commissioner’s Office released its 2024 Crop & Livestock Production Report, providing a comprehensive summary of acreage, production, and gross values for the county’s agricultural commodities. 

Agriculture remains Santa Barbara County’s leading industry with a gross production value of $2,009,138,000 in 2024, an increase of 7.1% over 2023.

It is important to note that the values in this report reflect the gross value of agricultural commodities grown in Santa Barbara County. These figures do not account for production costs such as labor, planting, irrigation, and distribution.

Strawberries retained their position as the county’s top crop for the 22nd consecutive year. A combination of increased acreage and yield contributed to a gross value of $860,478,000, marking an 11% increase over the previous year.

Nursery products, which primarily represent cut flowers and potted plants, held steady as the second most valuable crop at $124,473,000, supported by market demand and product stabilization.

Broccoli rose to the third position with a value of $93,423,000, reflecting a 7.7% increase. Despite reduced acreage, higher yields and strong market prices boosted the overall value.

Cauliflower moved up to fourth place with a gross value of $78,258,000, though this represents a 7% decrease due to reduced acreage.

Blackberries entered the top five for the first time with a value of $77,956,000, a 27% increase from 2023. This growth was driven by increased acreage, crop maturity, and improved growing practices.

The agricultural commodity that saw the sharpest decline compared to last year was wine grapes.

“Santa Barbara County’s wine grape production was markedly low, with reduced yields per acre,” said Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Jose Chang. “Despite this smaller yield, the high quality of the grapes fueled strong demand and robust pricing, especially when compared to other regions.” 

Livestock production value increased despite a lower number of stock. This was because of strong national cattle prices in 2024, driven by low inventory from high demand and prior droughts, increasing the per-animal value.

“In Santa Barbara County, better 2024 rainfall improved pastures, allowing for heavier calves and retention of more young stock, though local herd numbers remained down,” said Chang.

The Fruits & Nuts category dominated by strawberries, accounted for 53% of the county’s total gross production value, totaling $1,064,686,000. Vegetables made up 31% of the total at $628,145,000, while Nursery Products contributed 6% at $124,473,000. Wine grapes followed closely, comprising 3% of the total gross production value at $70,857,000.

The 2024 Crop & Livestock Report is available in English and Spanish. It, as well as other reports since 1916, can be found online at www.countyofsb.org/469/Crop-Reports.

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A sold-out crowd of 300 gathered in boots and fancy hats at the Piocho Ranch on Sunday, June 29, for the 13th annual 2025 Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic.  

Proceeds from the event benefit People Helping People (PHP), the Valley’s lifeline for vulnerable residents in need of food, shelter, medical care, and connection to other critical services. 

Holding an American flag under a bright blue sky with the mountains as a backdrop, Sean Pitts, one of the owners of Happy Canyon Vineyards, kicked off the main match.  “There is no greater honor than to help People Helping People,” announced Pitts. 

Sean and his wife, Jodi Barrack Pitts, and TJ Barrack are longtime supporters of the Classic. The trio took over running the event when a more elaborate version became an organizational burden for the small nonprofit. It has transitioned from an ultra-chic day in the country to a casual event that is pure Valley, bringing together barbecue, wine, and horses. 

“I just am so grateful to them,” PHP Board President Becky Barieau said. “They chose to maintain the continuity and the legacy of the polo event and it still benefits us. It’s a great thing. It’s a really great thing.” 

“It’s about the community that People Helping People supports that are near and dear to our hearts,” Sean Pitts said, noting PHP’s support of ranch and farm laborers. Jodi Barrack Pitts’ family has been part of the Santa Ynez community for well over three decades. She added, “We really love where we live and we want to give back where we live. And we love what they do.” 

Joel Baker, a local high-goal player and national coach, started the Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic with People Helping People in 2012. That relationship is especially meaningful to PHP this year as they just helped facilitate the first residents to move into Polo Village, a beautiful, new, affordable housing complex in Buellton. 

The Polo Village development is built on the very land where the Classic started, a polo field formerly owned by Baker. Forty-nine family members and individuals now have permanent housing at this complex designed for seniors, veterans, and working families, along with PHP support services to ensure they stay in that housing. 

This year members of La Herradura Polo Club run by Memo Gracida, the legendary polo player, took to the field in the Polo Classic to face off in two matches. The lone woman on the Red team, Gina Padilla, scored four of the team’s five goals. Despite her success, the opposing team won, leaving Guille Aguero, Brent Hamill, Jim Mintie, and Matt Thake to lift the celebratory bottles of Happy Canyon wines. 

To learn more about People Helping People go to  syvphp.org, or call (805) 686-0295.

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Jeff Hartman opened the Highline Adventures outdoor adventure park near Buellton in 2023 to give people more opportunities to get outside and active.

Now, Hartman is looking to expand his customer base to families and younger kids, and in the process, he jokingly says, make “Skynet” known more than just being the name of the fictional computer system that threatened mankind in the “Terminator” movie franchise.

This “Skynet” refers to the park’s new Skynet Playground, a first-of-its-kind colorful, elevated netted zone featuring 10 enclosed adventure spaces designed for safe climbing, bouncing, and motor skill development, all while parents can relax or join in the fun. This expansion, which opened at the end of May, complements Highline Adventures’ existing adventure park, which features a variety of thrilling courses and challenges for teens and adults, according to Hartman.

“The Skynet’s been great for us because we can get the whole family out here and give them something to do,” Hartman said of the playspace, which is made for children as young as 2, as well as adults and older kids. “The zipline and adventure course I limit to ages 10 and up and between 75 and 275 pounds, and I was missing out on that younger kid demographic, which I can see clearly now, being the father of a 2-year-old and 6-year-old. I thought to myself we were missing out on whole families who have nothing to do out here.”

The Skynet is an elevated structure nestled between the adventure courses at the park, which is located just outside the Buellton city limits off Highway 246. Participants can ran back-and-forth between the “zones,” play games like basketball and volleyball (with added elevation), and even just jump up and down on the bottom like a trampoline.

“This netting is the same kind they’ve started to use in what they call ‘netparks’ in Europe, but are finally coming to the U.S.,” Hartman said. “The technology for the nets came from fishing netting, and it’s very strong and very bouncy, like a trampoline.”

Hartman also looks at the Skynet as more of a free-form activity, for the park attendees.

“With the zipline and adventure courses, we need to go through a little training and orientation, and have to supervise the whole process,” he said. “With the Skynet, I can just get the group and let them loose in there.”

The playground is the latest addition to the park, whose main feature is the zipline, which takes harnessed riders 1,000 feet above ground, giving them what Hartman calls “the best views in Santa Ynez Valley.”

Hartman is a “sixth-generation” Santa Barbara County native who graduated from Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara, and then went to the University of Colorado.

“I started a couple of action sports companies in Colorado before I moved back to Santa Barbara County in 2016,” he said. “I was some ag business for awhile but decided I wanted to do something else. My dad and his partner had the idea for zip course, and I added the adventure course and we submitted it to the county in 2020 and got approval in 2022.”

Hartman said his park is a response to those who wish for more activities to do in the Valley when they speak out at City Council meetings or events like the recent economic summit.

“Our mission is getting people outside and active, since we live in such a digital age and let them have fun things to do in a curated and safe environment,” he said. “They want something to do other that just drink alcohol — I mean, how much wine can you drink in a day. We say that you come to our park and be active and then do your wine tasting or have a Danish and do the Solvang experience after.”

In additions to folks just coming in to enjoy the park, Highland Adventures also is available for events, like birthday parties and corporate retreats.

“We have a clubhouse and lawn where people can gather and hang out between activities,” he said. “We’ve hosted parties and brought food trucks, and provided lawn games, seatings and other things.”

Hartman, who lives on the property with his wife Hannah, and daughters Pearl, 6, and June, 2, (with a baby boy on the way soon) said he is open to further new additions to the park, which he said is further encouraged by the ag enterprise ordinance passed the county last December.

“We’re looking at what we can do,” he said. “That ordinance was a great thing for ag zone parcels.”

But for the time being, Hartman’s happy providing a local destination to enjoy some neat outdoor experiences.

“We just encourage people to get out and active in a fun environment,” he said. “Our tagline is ‘Explore Through the Trees.’ You can come out as a family and activities for ages 2 years old to 100 years old, and have fun.”

Highline Adventures is located at 700 E. Highway 246, with the entrance to the access road just east of Ostrich Land. To book reservations or to get more info, go to highlineadventures.com.

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A Buellton Planning Commission item on the building of a proposed private elementary school consisting of “yurts,” or California Roundhouse buildings, on Dairyland Road, in the same area as the Buellton Library, ultimately led to a 2-2 vote from the commissioners, technically denying the project, during the Thursday, July 3, meeting.

However, Commission Chair Shannon Reese said near the end of the three-hour meeting that the proposal will end up going before the City Council at some point.

The item was put on the Planning Commission after members of the public voiced their concerns about the school during a town-hall meeting in June.

After City Manager Scott Wolfe introduced the item requested a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the project, Contract Planner Irma Tucker made a presentation for the proposal, called the Hundred Hills School Project.

Speaking by remote, Tucker explained the Hundred Hills School would be a Waldorf-inspired school serving preschool through the fourth grade. The campus, on the topmost portion of the Willemsen Property at 202, 208, 212, and 218 Dairyland Road, would consist of four classrooms, one administration building, and one restroom, all of the California Roundhouse building style, more commonly know as “yurts.”

Tucker said the school would originally serve a maximum of 50 students, and the length of approved for the CUP would not exceed five years.

“Mainly, this would be an incubator site,” she said. “They want to establish their school on this site while searching for a more permanent location. The temporary use would allow the site to return to original use.”

Applicant Sundeep Chanana thanked the supporters of the project and also the detractors, noting the “subset who go out of their way to disrupt our Saturday get-togethers, post anti-school flyers, and spread misinformation,” and requested they take him up on his offer to meet.

Chanana lauded the benefits of the school, calling it “an unparalled educational opportunity for Buellton and mentioned he and his wife had offered to pay the city the full cost of the five-year lease upfront but that the offer was refused.

He also addressed concerns stated by residents, saying that the topography of the site would be unchanged with only minimal grading; the structures to be built would have the longevity of stick-built homes; and there would be only one pickup and dropoff zone and that pickups and dropoffs would be staggered to mitigate traffic. He stated 40% of the schools applicants were from Buellton, with scholarships being offered to Buellton residents.

Fellow applicant Whitney Chanana, thanked their supporters for being there. She told the commission addressed the neighbors to the project and stated they had listened to their concerns about parking, traffic, and architectural compatibility during the earlier town hall meeting. She asked the Planning Commission to consider the project on its merits, and give students and parents in a city with one elementary another option.

After the applicants’ presentations and a short recess, the meeting reached public comment, which elicits contributions from 32 people on the record, 18 of them stating opposition.

Most of the objections came from residents of the surrounding neighborhood who believed there would be a negative impact with traffic and noise because of the school. Others did not like the idea of city-owned land being used for a private school. Former Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra, speaking strictly as a city residents, “The property was supposed to be for the people of Buellton. While I’m not against the school, it shouldn’t be on this property. It should be for the people of Buellton, not a private school.”

However, the project did also have supporters that spoke out at the meeting. Some of those who spoke in favor of Hundred Hills School noted the lack of options for students in early education, most notably preschool, while others praised other Waldorf schools and said it would be a great experience for Buellton children.

“It is good for Buellton to have another option,” Ralph Kunz said. “My kids went to a Waldorf school, and when they were in college, professors said what great kids we have and how they have a different way of thinking. It’s important to consider it’s not for everybody, but it’s an opportunity for people if they want it.”

After public comment, commissioners expressed their final thoughts on the item. Commissioner Kasey Kump said that listening to all the input, he felt the project just didn’t fit in with the neighborhood, emphasizing that the decision was not a judgement on alternative education or private schools in general. Meanwhile, Vice Chair Marcillo Sarquilla saidthat while traffic concerns could be mitigated by shuttling students to and from the school, he felt that Oak Valley Elementary School in Buellton was adequately providing the needed services for preschool and kindergarten students.

Commissioner Brian Campbell was concerned that the project came as a surprise to many residents, but felt there were merits to both sides of the issue, while Chair Shannon Reese said that while she liked the idea of a small town like Buellton having just one school that everyone went to, she felt the project was appropriate for the zone, noting that uses such as schools and churches are routinely places in residential infill zones. She states she lives next to Jonata School, which is much larger and also uses collector streets, and she doesn’t find it has an adverse impact. 

Ultimately the commission voted twice, both times Sarquilla moving for disapproval, and both times resulting in a 2-2 deadlock with Sarquilla and Kump voted to disapprove, and Campbell and Reese voting not to disapprove. Wolfe announced that the vote actually meant the CUP was denied and the matter would go next to the City Council.

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As of July 1, several new California laws are now in effect, ushering in changes that touch on everything from consumer rights and student mental health to workplace protections and gas taxes. 

Easier Subscription Cancellations

Consumers will now find it simpler to cancel subscription services thanks to Assembly Bill 2863, which requires businesses to offer the same cancellation method used to initiate the subscription. The law aims to reduce frustration over hard-to-navigate cancellation systems, a common complaint among Californians.

Short-Term Rental Fee Transparency

For those booking vacation homes, AB 2202 now mandates that platforms like Airbnb disclose all cleaning fees and penalties before a reservation is made. Hosts must also clearly list cleaning tasks expected of guests, ensuring greater transparency and fewer surprise charges.

Mental Health Resources for Students

Under Senate Bill 1063, all public schools serving grades 7 through 12 must print the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a QR code linking to county-specific mental health resources on student ID cards. This change is part of a broader effort to support youth mental health and prevent suicide.

CARE Act Transparency

New updates to the CARE Act, which provides court-ordered treatment for individuals struggling with mental health, require courts to keep petitioners informed about the individual’s treatment progress. The law, originally passed in 2022, seeks to provide compassionate care while maintaining accountability and oversight.

Retail Theft and Online Marketplaces

Cracking down on retail theft, AB 2943 and SB 905 increase penalties for crimes like vehicle break-ins when items are intended for resale. Additionally, online marketplaces must now verify the identity of third-party sellers and report suspicious activity to law enforcement, a response to growing concerns over stolen goods being sold online.

Bar Safety Enhancements

Bars across the state must now offer drink lids upon request and post signage warning patrons of drink spiking. Signs must read:

“Don’t get roofied! Drink lids and drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.”

New Protections for Domestic Workers

With the passage of SB 1350, domestic workers — such as nannies and house cleaners hired through agencies — are now covered under Cal/OSHA workplace protections. However, the law does not apply to individuals who hire household help directly for personal use.

Gas and Cannabis Tax Adjustments

The state’s gas tax has increased from 59.6 cents to 61.2 cents per gallon, part of an annual inflation adjustment. Cannabis taxes have also been adjusted, though specifics vary by locality.

Minimum Wage Hikes in Select Cities

Several California cities, including Los Angeles, have raised their minimum wage as of July 1. Local rates now exceed the state minimum, which remains at $16 per hour, depending on the size of the business.

Other Key Changes:

• Pet Insurance Transparency: Insurers must now explain premium increases and reductions in coverage to policyholders.
• Fertility Treatment Coverage: Most insurance plans are now required to cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Food Delivery ID Requirements: Delivery platforms must provide customers with a photo and the first name of their delivery person.
• Bounty Hunter Licensing: AB 2043 mandates that all bail fugitive recovery agents — commonly known as bounty hunters — must be licensed in California.

For full details on how these laws may impact you, visit the California Legislature’s website or contact your local city or county government.

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