Bad ADA “Reform” Bill Dies in Senate Appropriations

Media Contact:
Nick Mirman
nick@cmpublicaffairs.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (August 13, 2026) — Jaime Huff, President and CEO of the Civil Justice Association of California, released the following statement after AB 649 (Lowenthal) was held in Senate Appropriations:

“CJAC remains committed to meaningful ADA reform, and we are grateful that the Senate agreed that AB 649 is not the right answer.

“The Senate has already advanced a better bill that will help our local businesses. SB 84 (Niello) is a clean right-to-cure ADA reform bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan support and 20 Democratic coauthors. SB 84 remains the most effective way to reduce frivolous ADA lawsuits while improving accessibility.

“CJAC will continue to work with leaders in both the Assembly and Senate on real reforms that protect access while preventing lawsuit abuse.”

AB 649 was pitched as ADA lawsuit reform, but its so-called right to cure came with strings and preconditions that would have left small businesses exposed to costly lawsuits over technical accessibility violations. CJAC supports a clean right to cure that allows businesses acting in good faith to quickly fix violations and improve access.