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Legislation
'Chilling speech of employers in their own business': Pro-union legislation bogs down in Assembly amid criticism
The legislation would bar employers from speaking with their workers about union organizing efforts, and give trial lawyers new powers to sue employers accused of violating the new law for potentially big money damages
Legislation
Rehiring challenges persist for California companies despite numerous job offers to former staff
Airline catering company Flying Food Group (FFG) is the latest California-based hospitality group to be targeted by state lawmakers trying to enforce a union-backed bill which affects the rehiring process in the hospitality industry. The Labor Commissioner's Office of California has recently accused Flying Food Group of violating Senate Bill 93, citing the company over $1.2 million for not promptly rehiring 21 workers who were laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic when the company expanded its operations and started hiring again, as mandated by law.
Legislation
California lawmakers poised to extend 'temporary' Covid layoff protections for hotel, restaurant workers forever
Employers say the law would be virtually impossible to comply with, while leaving employers facing potentially massive fines and equally large hits to their reputation, if unions target them for action
Legislation
County's ban on drilling for oil, natural gas struck down by California Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - An ordinance banning oil and gas drilling within Monterey County that passed with 56% of the vote is preempted by state law promoting the production of underground hydrocarbons, the California Supreme Court ruled, rejecting comparisons to earlier decisions allowing municipalities to prohibit drilling in certain areas or ban marijuana dispensaries entirely.
Legislation
Bill to scale back California’s oil imports and improve local production unanimously passes state Senate, now goes before Assembly Appropriations
As the California Legislature continues its work to balance energy and environmental concerns, a new bill to make it easier to produce fuel products here, reducing reliance on oil from countries that don’t share the same values, has received unanimous bipartisan support
Legislation
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.
Legislation
California taxpayers to foot $557K bill for part of gun control law no one wanted
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Making a political point can have real-world costs, and California's taxpayers will now get to pay more than a half-million dollars so that state Attorney General Rob Bonta could deliver a message to Texas.
Legislation
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.
Legislation
New bill that would make it harder to advance voter referendums runs counter to California's democracy, critics say
With proposed state legislation nearing a crucial June deadline, another bill to change the system of direct democracy in California remains under discussion in Sacramento
Legislation
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.
Legislation
Reliability, affordability still unknown in new government rules requiring switch to electric trucks, cars
With new state rules on truck emissions recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, concerns persist about the feasibility of such programs for residents and businesses, as well as grid reliability.
Legislation
RJR, others appeal after flavored-tobacco ban upheld
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Tobacco companies are appealing a decision that rejected their challenge to California's ban on the flavored products they make.
Legislation
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
Legislation
Judge won't block California's ban on flavored tobacco
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A California federal judge has tossed tobacco companies' challenge to a state law that prohibits the sale of flavored products.
Legislation
California might ban sales of all tobacco products to anyone born after 2007, forever
Legislation has been introduced in the California Assembly by Democrat Assemblyman Damon Connolly to permanently prohibit anyone born after Jan. 1, 2007 from ever buying cigars or any other tobacco products in California
Legislation
Appeals panel blocks AB51, says anti-arbitration law represents try by state to skirt federal law, prior court rulings
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said the threat of criminal and civil penalties against employers served to deter employers from forming arbitration agreements with workers, violating federal law
Legislation
New OC Supervisor Chair prioritizes public safety with support for murder, manslaughter charges in Fentanyl overdoses
Under SB 44, fentanyl dealers and traffickers whose drug sales result in death can be charged with murder
Legislation
NFIB: Businesses face unknown litigation risk because Cal state agency has yet to finalize privacy rules under new state law
The California Privacy Protection Agency was expected to finalize its rules by July 1, 2022, but is still collecting comments. Businesses may still be expected to comply with unfinished rules, however, or face the threat of lawsuits for breaking the unfinished rules, business advocates warn
Legislation
NFIB reacts to laws impacting small businesses that became effective Jan. 1
The new laws could result in lost opportunities and benefits for workers, said NFIB's state director
Legislation
Court rejects plaintiff lawyers' attempt to eliminate California's cap on fees
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A law firm has no basis for suing to eliminate California’s cap on contingency fees and non-economic damages in malpractice lawsuits, an appeals court ruled, citing previous decisions by the state Supreme Court as well as the law firm’s speculative theories about how the caps deny plaintiffs the right to sue.