I don’t have to tell anyone this is an election year. Between last November’s special election, the June primary and the impending mid-terms this fall, the winds of change – or not, depending on how a few things roll out – are everywhere. All of this is reflected in this year’s Top 100 list, and will assuredly be in the future. Because in this world change is the only constant.
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California Assembly Chambers, photo by Capitol Weekly. The California Legislature’s combined 57 standing committees (32 in the Assembly and 25 in the Senate) have addressed 1,846 bills (1,263 ABs and 583 SBs) during the 2026 Legislative Session.
Image by Panya Mingthaisong. As lawmakers race toward the end of the legislative session, AB 2575 is just one of many AI-related bills on the docket for them to consider. But amid the countless discussions currently surrounding AI, AB 2575 addresses one issue that may not immediately come to mind: the rights of healthcare workers using these systems.
Image by putilich. A measure aimed at protecting people’s privacy has instead become one of the most heavily discussed bills of 2026 among California law firms as debate over the proposal has become focused on what some see as a surprising topic: immigration.
Capitol Weekly's 2026 Top 100 BookCAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Hosts Rich Ehisen and Tim Foster are joined by Jenny Huh of ABC10 for a look at the 18th edition of Capitol Weekly’s Top 100, which published yesterday. Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 is our annual analysis of the unelected political power structure in California. We look at the mostly behind the scenes players who influence policy, elections and governance, including Capitol staff, lobbyists, Agency staff, donors, business leaders, activists, Labor leaders – and even journalists. Huh, Ehisen and Foster run through the Top 10, look at some of the new faces and discuss the themes running through this year’s list.
Image by Chinnapong.Despite California having more than 60 plasma collection centers, the state still does not collect enough plasma to meet demand.
Image by David Gyung.AB 1776 is being sold as a tool to hold Big Tech accountable, but instead opens courthouse doors to lawsuits against family-owned and small to mid-sized businesses.
We are proud to announce our 2026 class for the Capitol Weekly Top 100 Hall of Fame: Carmela Coyle, Bob White, Paula Treat, Robbie Hunter and, in memoriam, Allan Zaremberg and Scott Lay.
Image by MatimixOPINION — California must consider strategically how to ensure every child has access