California State Legislature
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Recent News About California State Legislature
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New California food dye ban: Is it protection for kids or shady science?
California has enacted what’s billed as a first-in-the-nation measure restricting the use of several artificial food colors suspected of causing hyperactivity in children, but some scientific experts say the new law is based more on perceptions than science. -
New California law heightens scrutiny of junk science, flawed testimony in criminal convictions
A California law that took effect last year is encouraging prosecutors, attorneys and judges to better scrutinize potentially flawed or outdated science and disputed expert testimony to avoid wrongful incarcerations, according to the law’s supporters. -
Disability services group director says PAGA lawsuits are damaging small businesses, nonprofits
A California law that allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against employers to resolve state Labor Code disputes needs to be overhauled this year to end trial-attorney shakedowns of small business and nonprofits, according to a disability services advocate. -
Last-minute budget bill gives state preemptive strike before voters decide on Nov. ’24 fast food ballot question
A late addition to the budget could stop a hard-fought opportunity for voters to have their say on a November 2024 ballot measure about the future of fast food in California. -
Lawmakers, worker advocates line up to defend independent contractors vs efforts to take California-style restrictions national
The U.S. Department of Labor under President Biden is preparing to seek to impose rules nationwide to limit the ability of people to work as independent contractors, mirroring and expanding rules imposed by California through legislation like AB5. -
California prepares for cuts as new budget deficit tops $30 billion
With the June budget deadline fast approaching, the state needs to fill a $32 billion deficit but precisely what is going to be cut remains to be seen. -
Lawmakers, nonprofit groups work to increase fentanyl penalties as deaths rise
With overdose deaths increasing exponentially in the first months of 2023 – up 40 percent compared to last year – residents are urging state lawmakers to act quickly to address the problem, with Gov. Gavin Newsom bringing a contingent of the National Guard to parts of San Francisco. -
Record rains heighten push to speed up work on California's long-approved water storage plans
Amid the impact of recent heavy rains and fire season fast approaching, questions persist about where things stand with water storage projects and why the state still hasn’t completed new ones with funding approved by voters almost a decade ago. -
Newsom launches new homelessness plans while on four-city tour in place of traditional State of State address
Newsom pledges to spend $1 billion more to address homelessness in California. But critics say the state cannot spend and build its way out of the homelessness epidemic gripping California -
New scorecard rates lawmakers’ work to address equity in California’s civil justice system
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released a new scorecard on legislators’ recent efforts to foster parity and balance in the state’s civil court procedures, by gauging how each one voted on bills involving liability and litigation. -
Recall organizer accuses lawmakers of plotting to change recall election requirements without a vote
California lawmakers intend to change the rules for recall elections without a ballot initiative, according to one of the organizers of the Recall Gavin 2020 campaign. -
'Reassessments could be staggering': Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association says of legislative proposal
A legislative director for a taxpayers association says that a California bill regarding property reassessments causes some concerns. -
Pending legislation would modify AB 5 independent contractor law
Lawyer: AB 5 independent contractor law 'settling in' -
NFIB identifies three small business priorities for the legislative new year
Opposing a proposed sales tax on the service industry is among the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)’s top three priorities for the upcoming 2021-2022 legislative session, which begins on Jan. 4 and ends Sept. 10, 2021. -
Prop 22 is expected to decide AB 5 and fate of Uber and Lyft drivers
After an injunction requiring Uber and Lyft to comply with Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) was stayed on appeal, Uber and Lyft asked California’s First Appellate District last week to reverse the order requiring the companies to reclassify drivers as employees rather than independent contractors