California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of stricter DUI laws on Friday, including Senate Bill 907, known as "Braun's Law," in honor of an 18-year-old killed by a suspected repeat drunk driver.
"Getting behind the wheel when you are impaired is inexcusable — especially when it results in the loss of someone's life," Newsom said. "Today, we're creating tougher laws and greater accountability for those who break the law. We will not stand by as more lives are lost and more families are forever changed by those who choose to drive under the influence."
SB 907, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), is named for Braun Levi, a Loyola High School student and nationally ranked tennis player from Pacific Palisades whose family relocated to Manhattan Beach after their home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire. In May 2025, Braun was struck and killed by a suspected repeat drunk driver while walking in Manhattan Beach. The law ensures drivers whose DUI charges are pled down to a lesser charge are told impaired driving is extremely dangerous to human life, and that a repeat offense could bring a more serious charge, including murder.
"Having lost my granddaughter to a repeat drunk driver, this is personal," said Senator Archuleta. "These are preventable tragedies. Nothing will ever bring my Samantha back or bring Braun back to the Levi family, but in signing SB 907 California is finally stepping up for victims."
Jennifer Levi, Braun's mother, thanked Newsom and the First Partner, saying she was "deeply grateful to Senator Archuleta and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman's office for their unwavering support."
The signed bills also include Assembly Bill 1546 by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), and Assembly Bill 1685 and Assembly Bill 1687 by Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale). Together they strengthen criminal penalties for repeat DUI offenders, impose longer license revocations and ignition interlock mandates, raise DMV violation points from two to three for vehicular manslaughter convictions while intoxicated, and extend the time the DMV can revoke a license after a third DUI from three to eight years.
"As a former California Highway Patrol sergeant, I have seen firsthand the heartbreak and devastation that impaired driving can leave behind," said Assemblymember Lackey. "These bills are about preventing those tragedies before they happen."
So far this year, the California Highway Patrol has made over 50,900 DUI arrests, conducted 75 sobriety checkpoints and 154 saturation patrols statewide, and delivered 64 traffic safety presentations. In July 2026, the CHP awarded more than $41 million in cannabis tax-funded grants to 183 organizations for impaired-driving enforcement, public education, officer training and forensic testing.