California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of legislation on September 25, 2026, establishing tougher criminal penalties for repeat drunk drivers and creating Senate Bill 907, known as “Braun’s Law,” in honor of an 18-year-old killed by a suspected repeat DUI offender.
Braun’s Law Targets Repeat DUI Offenders and Plea Bargains
Senate Bill 907, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), honors Braun Levi, a Loyola High School student and nationally ranked tennis player from Pacific Palisades whose family had relocated to Manhattan Beach after losing their home in the 2025 Palisades Fire. In May 2025, Levi was struck and killed by a suspected repeat drunk driver while walking in Manhattan Beach, according to the California Governor’s Office.
Braun’s Law ensures that drivers whose DUI charges are reduced via plea bargain are formally warned that impaired driving poses an extreme danger to human life. The statute establishes that a subsequent repeat offense could trigger a more serious charge, including murder. “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,” Senator Archuleta stated.
Jennifer Levi, mother of Braun Levi, expressed gratitude to Governor Newsom, the First Partner, Senator Archuleta, and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office for supporting the legislation across the finish line.
Expanded Penalties and Legislative Package Details
Alongside SB 907, Governor Newsom signed several additional measures targeting impaired driving across California. Assembly Bill 1546, authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), strengthens criminal penalties and addresses a growing epidemic of preventable road deaths. Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), a former California Highway Patrol sergeant, authored Assembly Bill 1685 and Assembly Bill 1687 to overhaul driving privileges and license revocations.
The newly enacted statutory changes mandate:
- Stricter criminal penalties and longer license revocation periods for repeat DUI offenders.
- Mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) requirements for repeat violators.
- An increase in DMV violation points from two to three for convictions of vehicular manslaughter and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
- Extensions to the timeframe for DMV license revocation, allowing up to a six-year revocation for four or more qualifying convictions within a ten-year period, and up to an eight-year revocation for a third DUI conviction under related provisions.
“These bills are about preventing those tragedies before they happen, and to keep impaired drivers off our roads,” Assemblymember Lackey said.
Enforcement and State Safety Data
The legislative package reinforces ongoing state enforcement efforts led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). State records show that CHP officers have made over 50,900 DUI arrests, conducted 75 sobriety checkpoints, executed 154 saturation patrols, and delivered 64 traffic safety presentations statewide through September 2026.
The CHP distributed more than $41 million in July 2026 through cannabis tax-funded grants to 183 organizations across California. These funds support localized impaired-driving enforcement, public education campaigns, officer training, and advanced forensic testing.
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