The California state legislature has passed Assembly Bill 1780, which seeks to ban private colleges from granting admission preferences based on legacy ties to alumni or donors, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated race as a factor in college admissions. Authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, the bill aims to ensure that college admissions are based on merit rather than wealth or connections, with supporters advocating for a more equitable application process. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law would take effect on September 1, 2025, making California the fifth state to enact such a ban, joining Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado. The legislation has undergone several revisions, and although earlier drafts proposed harsher penalties for non-compliance, the final version focuses on reporting requirements for institutions found in violation. Student activists across the country, including at Brown University, are also pushing for similar bans on legacy admissions, highlighting a growing movement against preferential treatment in higher education.