CA AB 2655 (struck down)

AB 2655 (Ch. 261, Stats. 2024; signed Sept. 17, 2024; non-urgency, so operative Jan. 1, 2025) added Cal. Elec. Code §§ 20510–20520: a 'large online platform' (>= 1,000,000 California users in the preceding 12 months) had to block materially deceptive content depicting candidates, elected officials or elections officials from 120 days before an election through Election Day (60 days after for elections-official content) and label such content from six months before through Election Day, plus provide a California-resident reporting mechanism; the AG, district attorneys, city attorneys, candidates and officials could seek injunctive or other equitable relief on clear and convincing evidence (no damages). LITIGATION: Kohls v. Bonta, No. 2:24-cv-02527-JAM-CKD (E.D. Cal., consolidated with X Corp. and Rumble suits). Judge Mendez ruled from the bench Aug. 5, 2025, granting plaintiffs summary judgment because AB 2655 'violates and is preempted by' 47 U.S.C. § 230; ECF 98 (Aug. 20, 2025) entered the Order and Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction as to AB 2655 in favor of X Corp. and Rumble. ECF 100 (stipulation, Aug. 2025): Defendants shall not enforce AB 2655 in its entirety against any provider of an interactive computer service (47 U.S.C. § 230(f)(2)); First Amendment claims not reached. ECF 106 (Sept. 19, 2025): notice of appeal by Bonta and Weber as to ECF 98. The companion AB 2839 was separately struck (ECF 101, Aug. 29, 2025).