Part ofAntitrust Law →

AB 1776CALIFORNIASession 20252026

California AB 1776 prohibits monopolization and monopsonization under the Cartwright Act

Original title: Cartwright Act: violations.

August 30, 2026

Antitrust Law Business Regulation Legal Procedure Monopolies Small Business CartwrightAct violations

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Where This Stands

Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.

Version history & redline

5 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 5 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing 04/09/26 - Amended Assembly → 05/18/26 - Amended Assembly

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Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

This bill changes the legal standard for antitrust enforcement in California, potentially increasing the burden of proof for plaintiffs while exempting small businesses from these new requirements.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Small Businesses

Small businesses are exempt from the new monopolization and monopsonization provisions.

Attorney General

The Attorney General is granted the authority to initiate actions under these new provisions.

District Attorneys

District attorneys are granted the authority to initiate actions under these new provisions.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 30, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

AB 1776 expands California's antitrust laws to prohibit monopolization and monopsonization of trade, while requiring plaintiffs to prove substantial market power. The bill restricts enforcement authority to the Attorney General or district attorneys and mandates that these cases be filed as complex litigation.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This bill changes the legal standard for antitrust enforcement in California, potentially increasing the burden of proof for plaintiffs while exempting small businesses from these new requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill apply to small businesses?

No, the bill explicitly exempts small businesses from the new provisions regarding monopolization and monopsonization.

Who can file a lawsuit under these new rules?

Only the Attorney General or a district attorney is authorized to initiate an action under these specific provisions.

What is a 'complex case' in this context?

The bill requires these antitrust actions to be filed as s, which subjects them to specific legal procedures and additional court fees.

News Coverage

Center1

1 source

Blind spot - only covered by center outlets

Californians may get a new way to sue big companies — and some legislators are nervous

Times of San Diego — Politics & GovernmentJul 18, 2026

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Centralization of Antitrust Enforcement

The bill shifts enforcement power away from private plaintiffs by requiring that actions be initiated only by the Attorney General or district attorneys.

Attorney General

Connected Entities

otherCartwright Act“California's primary antitrust statute.”Map →

otherIn re Cipro Cases I & II“2015 California Supreme Court case establishing the rule of reason analysis for ”Map →

organizationAttorney General“Authorized to initiate actions under the new provisions”Map →

otherUnfair Competition Law“Existing law that this bill restricts as a predicate for violations”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance80
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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