By Michelle Herrera Chairman Government Affairs Committee
As a member of the CalChamber and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Carlsbad Chamber is kept informed of legislation that affects our local industries.
In our last issue, we presented a list of “Job Killers” in order to encourage our members to spend time reading these bills to make sure they know what can hurt them and relaying that information to their elected representatives. We also want to educate our members about legislation that might not be a “Job Killer,” but is likely to impact local businesses in some other respect.
We will post watch updates as legislation is introduced, changes or enacted. Members can track the current status of the Job Killer bills on www.cajobkillers.com or by following @cajobkillers on Twitter.
2016 JOB KILLER BILLS
Collective Bargaining for Independent Contractors
AB 1727 (Gonzalez; D – Sherman Heights) This bill allows for groups of independent contractors to collectively bargain on terms of their contracts including price, contract acceptance and contract termination. The bill also allows independent contractors to file civil lawsuits for violations of the proposed law, and recover treble damages and attorneys’ fees if a willful violation is found. The bill is likely to increase labor costs for businesses, increase service costs for consumers, and increase litigation by independent contractors based on perceived violations by businesses.
2016 PRO-BUSINESS BILLS
Access to Businesses by Persons with Disabilities
SB 269 (Roth; D – Riverside) This bill relates to lawsuits filed by individuals against businesses for failure to provide accessibility to those with disabilities. It provides businesses with the opportunity to avoid the minimum statutory damages usually imposed under such claims by remedying non-compliant violations within 120 days and meeting other specified conditions.
The bill was approved by the Governor on May 10, 2016 and became effective on that date.
Small Business Loan Access
SB 936 (Hertzberg; D – Van Nuys) Applicants for small business loans must submit a guarantee by a small business financial development corporation. This bill lowers the reserves that must be maintained by small business financial development corporations to 10%. The bill expands small business access to loans, and thereby encourages small business development and growth.
Small Business Compliance with Regulations
SB 1228 (Runner; R – Antelope Valley) This bill facilitates small businesses compliance with regulations imposed by local agencies by requiring agencies to assist small business with newly adopted regulations, create policies to reduce or eliminate penalties against small businesses who have tried to comply in good faith, and allow courts the necessary discretion to grant small businesses equitable relief from enforcement actions.
BILLS FORMALLY OPPOSED OR SUPPORTED BY THE CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Increased Oversight of Public Utilities Commission
SB 215 (Leno, D – San Francisco; Hueso – D Logan Heights) This bill proposes institutes policies and procedures the Public Utilities Commission must abide by when hearing issues related to public utilities. Among other things, the bill seeks to remove Commissioners from adjudicating hearings where they might have a bias or prejudice on the issue, and creates transparency in communications between persons with an interest in an issue presented to the Commission for hearing and the Commission decision makers on that issue.
Carlsbad Chamber supported.