SB-576 • 2026

Video streaming services: commercial advertisements.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Umberg
Last action: 2025-10-06
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 336, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance with the volume regulation.

Regulating Ad Volume on Streaming Services

This law prohibits video streaming services in California from playing commercial ads louder than the shows or movies they are advertising, starting July 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits video streaming services that serve customers in California from transmitting ad audio louder than accompanying video content after July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

Video streaming service providers like Netflix and Hulu
People who use these services in California

Terms To Know

Commercial advertisements: Ads that are shown during or before a video to promote products or services.
Video streaming service: A company that lets people watch videos online without downloading them first.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what will happen if companies break this rule.
Only applies to audio volume, not visual aspects of ads.
Doesn't allow individuals to sue streaming services for breaking the law.

Bill History

2025-10-06 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 336, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-06 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-22 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2828.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 71. Noes 0. Page 2928.) Ordered to the Senate.
2025-08-25 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-25 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended.
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-07-10 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended.
2025-06-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 24).
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on P. & C.P.
2025-05-28 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2025-05-28 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1271.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2025-05-12 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-08 California Legislative Information
Ordered to second reading.
2025-05-08 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended.
2025-04-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-04-28 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 917.) (April 28).
2025-03-18 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 28.
2025-03-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 576, Umberg.
Video streaming services: commercial advertisements.
Existing law regulates various businesses to, among other things, preserve and regulate competition, prohibit unfair trade practices, and regulate advertising.
Existing federal law requires the Federal Communications Commission to develop regulations that require commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany. The federal regulations apply to television broadcast stations, cable operators, and other multichannel video programming distributors.
This bill would prohibit, on and after July 1, 2026, a video streaming service, as defined, that serves consumers in the state from transmitting the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the video content the advertisements accompany, as specified.
The bill would state that it does not create a private right of action.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF