• U.S. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and John Curtis (R-Utah) co-introduced the Timeshare Pricing Transparency Act on Dec. 18. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect consumers from confusing contracts, hidden fees, and unclear exit options in the timeshare industry. “Americans deserve to have all of the information they need upfront, before entering any timeshare commitment, including any potential surprise fees or contract terms,” Schiff said in a statement. “I’m proud to partner with Sen. Curtis to enhance consumer protections and ensure that Americans aren’t saddled with hidden junk fees or are the victims of deceptive contracts.” The Timeshare Pricing Transparency Act would establish what Schiff’s office called “clear,” “commonsense” disclosure requirements to ensure consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing. Safeguards in the bill include a 14-day penalty-free cancellation period and a single document that itemizes all acquisition and maintenance costs. “Our bill is about honesty, transparency, and basic consumer rights,” Sen. Curtis said in a statement. “Families deserve to know exactly what financial decisions they are making without predatory sales tactics that rely upon deception and manipulative time constraints. This bill ensures that Americans have clear and honest information before committing to a timeshare.” In a release from Schiff’s office, AARP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Bill Sweeney stated that timeshare fraud cost consumers more than $50 million in 2024, according to FBI statistics.
• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) recently included legislation—the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act—authored by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) in the PUBLIC (Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California) Lands Act. “I am grateful to Sen. Padilla for including my Central Coast Heritage Protection Act in his bill, ensuring these treasures are safeguarded so future generations can continue to experience the natural beauty that defines our region,” Carbajal said in a Dec. 18 statement. The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act would designate approximately 250,000 acres of public land in the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as wilderness, the highest form of federal protection available. A wilderness designation would protect the land from future oil or gas drilling. Padilla’s bill, the PUBLIC Lands Act, supports the conservation of more than 1.7 million acres of California’s public lands throughout Los Angeles County, northwest California, and the Central Coast. “From the rugged trails of the Los Padres National Forest to the sweeping Carrizo Plain, the Central Coast is home to some of the most pristine public lands in the country,” Carbajal stated. “We must act now to permanently protect these landscapes, which sustain local watersheds, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, and strengthen both our public health and economy.”
• Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new website on Dec. 16 that compiles information about criminal records and corruption cases tied to various individuals President Donald Trump “protects, pardons, and surrounds himself with,” according to Newsom’s office. In a release to announce the website, Newsom included data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association that shows homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults are down 18 to 9 percent in most major cities across the state. “California is proving what real public safety leadership looks like. Meanwhile in D.C., Trump is a felon who surrounds himself with scammers and drug traffickers,” Newsom stated. “We’re providing the public with a resource putting the facts in one place so Californians, and all Americans, can see who he elevates and who he protects.”
This article appears in Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026.