Gov. Newsom signs Assembly member Gonzalez’s bills into law

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - A new state law could bring more investment to Imperial County's lithium and geothermal industries.

Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez's (R-District 36) bill, AB 2163, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA).

The bill creates a statewide framework for clean energy and mineral development zones.

Gov. Newsom also signed a second bill known as "Tristan's Bill," which requires Caltrans to consider the costs and alternatives when reviewing local highway safety proposals.

If Caltrans rejects a local proposal, the agency will also have to provide a written explanation.

The law is named after 27-year-old Tristan Bourgeois, who was killed in a crash involving a semi-truck on the highway in 2024.

The bill is aimed at giving communities more transparency when they ask for safety improvements on state highways.