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ARTICLE · 26 MARCH 2026

California Considering A Massive Expansion Of Its Antitrust Laws

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AB 1776, dubbed the COMPETE Act, would amend the Cartwright Act to prohibit single˗firm “restraints of trade” – a term not as yet defined by the courts or by the bill itself. The bill also explicitly decouples California antitrust analysis from federal precedent.

United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Eric Enson
Eric Enson
Ann Rives
Ann Rives
Jordan Ludwig
Jordan Ludwig

What You Need to Know

  • Key takeaway #1
    AB 1776, dubbed the COMPETE Act, would amend the Cartwright Act to prohibit single˗firm “restraints of trade” – a term not as yet defined by the courts or by the bill itself. The bill also explicitly decouples California antitrust analysis from federal precedent.

  • Key takeaway #2
    Other recently introduced bills to amend the Cartwright Act would prevent California’s largest tech companies from promoting their own products ahead of competitors, and would also allow district and city attorneys in certain cities to bring civil & criminal Cartwright Act claims on behalf of their citizens.

Legislative efforts to significantly expand California’s antitrust laws are working their way through the state legislature. The most comprehensive overhaul is Assembly Bill 1776 — the Competition and Opportunity in Markets for a Prosperous, Equitable and Transparent Economy (COMPETE) Act, introduced by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, on Marc

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