SB-96 • 2026

Streaming services: commercial advertisements.

Crime

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Umberg
Last action: 2026-01-26
Official status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill includes provisions related to veterans' benefits, but these are technical changes unrelated to ad volume rules.

Streaming Services: Ad Volume Rules

The bill stops streaming services from playing commercial ad sounds louder than the main content for videos, social media videos, music, and podcasts.

What This Bill Does

Makes it illegal for video streaming services to play commercial ads louder than the main video content.
Adds rules for social media video services, music streaming services, and podcast streaming services not to make ad sounds louder than their content.

Who It Names or Affects

Streaming service companies that show videos, social media videos, music, or podcasts to people in California.

Terms To Know

Video streaming service: A company that lets you watch movies, TV shows, and other video content online.
Social media video service: A platform where people share videos with others on social networks like Instagram or TikTok.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not say what happens if a streaming service breaks the ad volume rules.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced and who will check that companies follow it.

Bill History

2026-01-26 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-01-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 3284.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-01-13 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-01-12 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3203.) (January 12).
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing January 12.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-02-05 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-01-24 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 23.
2025-01-23 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 96, as amended, Umberg.
Veterans’ benefits.
Streaming services: commercial advertisements.
Existing law prohibits 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.
This bill would additionally prohibit a social media video service, as defined, music streaming service, or podcast streaming service that serves consumers in the state from transmitting the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the content the advertisements accompany.
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to use funds that were solicited for the benefit of a veteran or veterans’ association for purposes other than those represented in the solicitation.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF