Every January 1, hundreds of new California laws quietly take effect. Some change daily life for residents and businesses. Others reshape how cities are required to operate — even if the public never sees those changes directly.

In the first episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast for 2026, City Manager Will Kolbow breaks down a focused list of new and newly operative state laws that will have the biggest real-world impacts this year.

This episode covers:

• Minimum wage changes and how they ripple through the local economy
• New rental housing habitability requirements
• Consumer protections affecting food delivery, banking fees, and AI transparency
• Housing and CEQA changes that affect how quickly projects move forward
• State laws that limit local zoning discretion
• And a deeper dive into SB 707, a major update to the Brown Act that will change how public meetings work across California

This is not a political discussion. These laws are already passed. The goal is to explain what actually changes in 2026, what residents may notice, and how cities like Calimesa are required to implement state law.

If you have questions about a specific state law not covered in this episode, feel free to reach out via Instagram or email at calimesainsider@gmail.com.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for staying informed.

This episode of the Calimesa Insider Podcast is a little different—and intentionally so.

Rather than a highlight reel or a list of complaints, this is a candid year-in-review of what really happened in Calimesa in 2025: the moments that brought the community together, the behind-the-scenes work residents don’t always see, the challenges that tested us, and the progress that quietly moved the city forward.

In this episode, we reflect on:

• Community events and why connection matters
• The people behind city services and organizational culture
• Public safety milestones, including an ISO Class 2 rating
• Fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, and long-term stability
• Infrastructure realities, including County Line Road
• Modernization efforts like online permitting
• Statewide advocacy for seniors through AB 1476
• Development updates and realistic timelines
• What’s ahead for Calimesa in 2026 and beyond

Calimesa is 35 years old—and still growing into the city it wants to become. This episode is about transparency, context, and informed conversation—because good governance starts with shared understanding.

Whether you’ve followed the podcast all year or you’re listening for the first time, this episode is a meaningful place to start.

🎧 New episode available now.