AB-1345 • 2026

Cartwright Act: restraint of trade.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Bauer-Kahan
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the expansion of punishable actions, additional findings and declarations, or nonsubstantive changes to interpretation rules.

Cartwright Act: Restraint of Trade

The Cartwright Act makes it illegal for individuals or groups to take actions that limit fair competition in business and punishes those who try to control entire markets.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law for one or more persons to act, cause, take, or direct a measure, action, or event that limits trade or tries to control an entire market.

Who It Names or Affects

Businesses and individuals who violate the new restrictions on limiting trade or controlling markets will face legal consequences.
The Attorney General, who enforces antitrust laws and protects consumers.

Terms To Know

restraint of trade: Actions that limit fair competition in business.
monopolize or monopsonize: To control an entire market, either by being the only seller (monopoly) or the only buyer (monopsony).

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much it will cost to enforce these new rules.
It is unclear what specific measures businesses might take that would be considered illegal under this act.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1345, as amended, Bauer-Kahan.
Business and Professions Code.
Cartwright Act: restraint of trade.
Existing law establishes the Attorney General as the head of the Department of Justice, with charge of all legal matters in which the state is interested, except as specified. Existing law imposes various requirements on the Attorney General related to consumer protection, including, among others, the supervision of charitable trusts and the enforcement of antitrust laws. Existing law, known as the Cartwright Act, identifies certain acts that are unlawful restraints of trade and unlawful trusts. Under existing law, a violation of the Cartwright Act is punishable as a crime.
This bill would provide that is unlawful for one or more persons to act, cause, take, or direct a measure, action, or event that is either in restraint of trade, as specified, or to
monopolize or monopsonize, as specified. Because the bill would expand the scope of activities punishable as a crime under the Cartwight Act, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make related findings and declarations.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law establishes the Business and Professions Code and prescribes general provisions for purposes of its interpretation.
This bill would make
nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF