Gavin Newsom signs new bill that GOP calls a backdoor for more trans athletes in girls’ sports

California already allows trans athletes to compete in school sports based on their gender identity

BY SAURAV SURESH

PUBLISHED OCT 16, 2025

Gavin Newsom signs bill that GOP calls backdoor to increasing trans athletes in girls’ sports (Getty Images)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation this week, which is being criticized by Republicans as a backdoor to increasing transgender athletes playing in girls’ sports.

The bill, called “Youth Sports Act for All,” requires a commission to explore whether a new state office needs to be created to regulate youth sports, including improving access for kids regardless of gender identity.

Gavin Newsom signs controversial bill amid GOP criticism

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the “Election Rigging Response Act” at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom spoke about a possible California referendum on redistricting to counter the legislative effort to add five Republican House seats in the state of Texas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) — California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the “Election Rigging Response Act” at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom spoke about a possible California referendum on redistricting to counter the legislative effort to add five Republican House seats in the state of Texas (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Newsom, a Democrat, signed the bill on Monday, October 13, despite saying that it was “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports in March this year, during an interview with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The past remark, which received backlash from liberals, was brought up by Republican state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, who criticized the bill, AB 749, in a letter to the governor’s office encouraging him to veto the measure last month.

“AB 749 is really just a disguise to actually further cement allowing biological males to compete against young women and girls in youth sports,” Jones wrote on September 26.

“The author and supporters of AB 749 know if they were upfront and put forth a straightforward bill allowing biological males to compete against young women and girls, it would be easily defeated.

“So instead they are trying to establish a stacked commission to indirectly rig the issue in their favor.”

Tina McKinnor responds to GOP criticisms over California bill

Jones' statement drew criticism from Assembly member Tina McKinnor. (Tina McKinnor/assembly.ca.gov) — State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones' statement drew criticism from Assembly member Tina McKinnor (Tina McKinnor/assembly.ca.gov)

Jones was then criticized by Assembly member Tina McKinnor, who sponsored the bill, accusing him of targeting trans students and suggesting the state lawmaker should care more about the ongoing federal shutdown.

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, McKinnor said, “Senator Brian Jones’ time would be better spent writing to the Republican controlled Congress to end the Trump Shutdown and reopen the federal government, rather than attacking trans students.”

Bill provisions and federal probe

Athletes run past orange paint poured on the track by climate activists of 'Last Generation' who attempted to disrupt the Berlin marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. The group, known for its supporters gluing themselves to roads to block traffic, is seeking to put pressure on the German government over a variety of climate-related issues, including a timetable to end the burning of fossil fuels (Christian Mang/Getty Images)

California already allows trans athletes to compete in school sports based on their gender identity, against which the Trump administration has prompted a probe into potential civil rights violations.

The bill touches on numerous issues surrounding youth sports, including examining whether children can participate in sports regardless of gender, income, or disabilities.

It also sets up a Democrat led commission to examine coaching, safety, and pay-to-play issues, with the report due by January 2028.