SB96 - Streaming services: commercial advertisements.

Amended IN Assembly June 26, 2026 Amended IN Assembly June 24, 2026 Amended IN Senate January 05, 2026 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 96 Introduced by Senator Umberg January 23, 2025 An act to amend Sections 22775 and 22776 of, and to amend the heading of Chapter 27.3 (commencing with Section 22775) of Division 8 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to streaming services. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 96, as amended, Umberg. Streaming services: commercial advertisements. Existing law prohibits a video streaming service, as defined, that serves consumers in the state from transmitting the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the video content the advertisements accompany, as specified. This bill would clarify that video streaming service includes a user-generated video streaming service, and would additionally prohibit a music streaming service or podcast streaming service that serves consumers in the state from transmitting the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the content the advertisements accompany. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The heading of Chapter 27.3 (commencing with Section 22775) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: CHAPTER 27.3. Streaming Services SEC. 2. Section 22775 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 22775. For purposes of this chapter, all of the following definitions apply: (a) “Video programming” has the same meaning as defined in Section 613(h) of Title 47 of the United States Code. (b) (1) “Video streaming service” means an entity that makes available directly to the consumer, through a distribution method that uses internet protocol, either of the following: (A) Video programming. (B) Video content the entity makes available for users to view. (2) “Video streaming service” includes a user-generated video streaming service. (3) “Video streaming service” does not include a television broadcast station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programing distributor, or an entity that serves video programming or video content without commercial advertisements. SEC. 3. Section 22776 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 22776. On and after July 1, 2026, January 1, 2027, a music streaming service, podcast streaming service, or video streaming service that serves consumers residing in the state shall not transmit the audio of commercial advertisements louder than the content the advertisements accompany, consistent with the regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act (Public Law 111-311) for television broadcast stations, cable operators, and other multichannel video programming distributors.