Legislation News
Legislation
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.
Legislation
Rep. Darrell Issa: Litigation transparency bill will deter 'bad actors' in civil suits
A Southern California congressman has introduced a measure to require the disclosure of third-party litigation financing agreements in civil litigation, saying it would bring needed transparency to an unregulated practice.
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Legislation
California ban on switchblades affirmed; Judge rejects Second Amendment arguments, will be appealed
Switchblade knives are not "arms" protected by the Second Amendment, a California federal judge has ruled in rejecting a legal challenge to California's switchblade knife ban law
Legislation
Judge on paraquat pesticide multi-district lawsuit: plaintiff witness's methodology equates to 'cooking the books'
A California lawmaker is pressing to ban the pesticide paraquat despite a federal judge’s recent conclusion in several civil lawsuits that expert witness testimony had failed to prove the chemical causes Parkinson’s disease.
Legislation
Business groups express relief as Newsom signs PAGA reforms into law
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed newly passed legislation that aims to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which business groups have long criticized as a vehicle for rampant lawsuit abuse that offers little in the way of worker protections.
Legislation
Industry associations say California Supreme Court should uphold Prop 22
On April 3, the Chamber of Progress, NetChoice, Asian Industry B2B, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and sf.citi submitted an amicus brief to the California Supreme Court. They urged the court to uphold Proposition 22 (Prop 22), arguing that a reversal would adversely impact women and communities of color.
Legislation
Restaurant industry critical of state's interpretation of new California law barring 'hidden fees' on goods
Attorney General Rob Bonta has served up an unappetizing interpretation of a new California measure designed to do away with junk fees on goods and services, according to the state’s restaurant industry. Bonta's office has indicated that interpretation could expose restaurants to lawsuits and official enforcement actions.
Legislation
Tort lawsuits drive California’s status as one of the most expensive states to live in
Researchers have determined that California ranks among the most expensive places to live in the United States, surpassed only by Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts. Local small business owners attribute part of this high cost of living to the "tort tax" burden shouldered by residents.
Legislation
With California drafting cyberrisk rules, companies prepare for potential regulatory actions, lawsuits
As California regulators set new parameters on cybersecurity rules, it’s raising questions about how business should adapt for implementation.
Legislation
CalChamber loses bid to delay California data privacy regulations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California can begin enforcing data privacy regulations under a law voters passed in 2020, an appeals court ruled, rejecting arguments by the California Chamber of Commerce that there should be a one-year delay between the promulgation of new rules and when they can be enforced.
Legislation
X Corp. appeals loss in challenge to terms-and-conditions law in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - X Corp., the former Twitter, is appealing a federal judge's ruling that preliminarily upheld a new California law that targets terms and services for social media companies.
Legislation
New sick leave law expands mandates imposed in California big cities now statewide; New lawsuit risk for employers
A new sick leave mandate, which first applied in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other large California cities, has been in effect at workplaces statewide since Jan. 1.
Legislation
Proposed Prop 65 labeling rules may help some businesses, but could open door to more Prop 65 lawsuits in coming years
California regulators are expected to require new updates to Proposition 65 warning labels in 2024, significantly changing how it will read because a chemical name also must be listed.
Legislation
X Corp.'s challenge to California's social media law off to rough start
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - X Corp., the former Twitter, hasn't shown a likelihood of success in its challenge to a new California law imposing requirements to social media companies.
Legislation
California employers facing new big lawsuit risk from new law easing path to courts for workers accusing retaliation
A new law taking effect in 2024 will require courts to presume employers are at fault when they are accused of firing workers for engaging in "protected activity"
Legislation
Newsom vetoes bill that would have required seniority-first hiring at businesses across California
A proposed law that would have changed rehiring rules for laid off workers in dozens more industries statewide was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom at the end of this fall’s legislative session. The law would have forced businesses to try to rehire former workers first, no matter how many times those workers refused
Legislation
With smaller homes, lawmakers hope for big impact on California housing crisis
With recent data showing even higher hurdles to home ownership in California, a spate of new laws were passed this session to help produce more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), which are smaller scale units that share the lot of a single family home.
Legislation
California employers face greater lawsuit risk under new criminal background check rules
Recent changes to the Fair Chance Act (FCA) mean there are new rules that California employers must follow when making decisions about new hires and what can be part of the background check, and employers should expect more lawsuits when denying people jobs
Legislation
Climate disclosure rules raise burden, risks for businesses in California, across U.S.
The recent passage of climate accountability laws for businesses is raising questions about costs to consumers, the regional economy, and if such reporting means less climate change innovation.
Legislation
New CA school curriculum law faces constitutional hurdles, runs over local community control of what is taught in schools
A new law that gives more state power over what is taught in schools is raising questions over whether the state isn't just running roughshod over local school boards because the state doesn't like local school curriculum decisions.