California Governor Newsom Signs Four New DUI Laws Expanding Felony Charges and Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Activists and lawmakers rally to address the state's highest rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths in a decade.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed four new pieces of legislation on Friday aimed at curbing the alarming rise in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. The measures focus on strengthening penalties for repeat offenders and facilitating felony charges for drivers who cause fatal accidents. The signing event took place at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on February 12, 2026. The legislation responds to a series of investigations by CalMatters that revealed California possesses some of the most permissive DUI laws in the nation.
The initiative for these changes was driven by personal tragedy. Jennifer Levi, who attended the signing ceremony, spoke to reporters about the loss of her son Braun Levi. Braun Levi, an 18-year-old, was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver in May 2025. Officials say the driver had a prior history of driving under the influence. Levi described the legal changes as a source of hope but noted the pain of her loss remains. "My victory is the result of the loss of a child and I would do anything to have him back," Levi stated.
The legislation package builds upon the findings of the "License to Kill" investigation. The report highlighted a systemic failure to remove dangerous drivers from the road. Investigators found that many repeat offenders continued to drive recklessly even after previous accidents. Some drivers were involved in multiple fatal crashes. While four bills were successfully passed, the package included an initial proposal of 17 bills. Many of the other measures failed due to strong opposition from progressive groups. These groups argued that harsher penalties could disproportionately affect low-income communities and suggested alternative safety measures.
One of the key bills signed into law is SB 907, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta. Archuleta represents the 34th District in Norwalk. The senator lost his granddaughter Samantha to a drunk driver. The new law makes it easier to charge a driver with felony vehicular manslaughter if they have a prior DUI conviction. Previously, a prior conviction had to be a felony itself before it qualified as a strike. The law also increases penalties for hit-and-run drivers who kill someone if they had a prior DUI at the time of the crash. Archuleta emphasized the personal impact of the law. "Nothing can bring my Samantha or the family Levi back," he said. "But by signing SB 907, California is finally demonstrating its commitment to victims."
Assemblyman Nick Schultz, a Democrat from Burbank, authored another significant measure. His new law allows prosecutors to charge a third DUI offense as a felony within a 10-year period. Before this change, authorities could only seek enhanced penalties after a fourth offense. The law aims to address the pattern of behavior among habitual offenders. The Governor’s Office noted that the legislation was modified during the legislative session. This reflects a compromise between different legislative priorities and legal standards.
Assemblyman Tom Lackey, a Republican from Palmdale, contributed two bills to the package. Lackey previously served as a California Highway Patrol officer. One of his bills increases the number of points placed on a driver’s license for convictions related to drunk driving. Specifically, the law raises the points for vehicular manslaughter convictions from two to three points. Initially, the bill proposed raising points for all vehicular manslaughter cases. However, the final version focused only on those cases involving alcohol intoxication. The second bill from Lackey requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke a driver's license for six years. This revocation applies to anyone convicted of DUI who causes injury after having four prior convictions.
Despite the new laws, several impactful safety proposals failed during the session. A prominent proposal would have mandated ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI offenders. These devices prevent a vehicle from starting until the driver tests sober. California currently requires interlocks only for repeat offenders. Advocates for the failed measure argued that this would prevent further tragedies. Governor Newsom acknowledged the failure of the interlock proposal in his statement. He suggested that the Legislature should revisit this issue in the next session. Newsom called for a long-term, comprehensive framework for DUI sanctions that is clear and consistent.
The state continues to face a crisis in alcohol-related traffic safety. Statistics indicate a more than 50 percent increase in road deaths caused by alcohol intoxication over the last decade. Jennifer Levi remains an active advocate for road safety. She collaborates with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and urges leaders to take action. She noted that there is still much work to be done. The new laws represent a step forward, but the legal landscape in California remains complex. The distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony carries significant weight for both defendants and victims. The passage of these four laws marks a distinct moment in the state's efforts to reform its traffic safety policies.
First reported by CalMatters.
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