I have never had a problem canceling a flight within 24 hours, and I do not live in California nor do I fly there often. No idea if this is a law or just what airlines do.
A lot of times, companies will just adhere to the strictest applicable version of the legislation because these laws have a tendency to spread, and because it's easier to just have one system than to have an extra set of rules just for e.g. Californians.
A lot of times, companies will just adhere to the strictest applicable version of the legislation because these laws have a tendency to spread, and because it's easier to just have one system than to have an extra set of rules just for e.g. Californians.