Sarah Downey News
Ride share drivers not included in new AB 5 exemptions
While the state recently passed legislation that will make more professions exempt from the controversial independent contractor law, AB 5, it left out others, including ride-share drivers.
Budget trailer bill expands paid leave in California; lawmakers pass on health care consolidations requiring approval from attorney general
A bill that would have mandated the attorney general approve health care provider consolidations failed to pass the Legislature late last month, but a budget trailer bill on supplemental sick paid leave, to be enforced by the state Labor Commissioner, was passed at the tail end of the abbreviated session.
Federal appeals court rules for employer in PAGA litigation; state lawmakers pass up opportunity to reform law
Although the Ninth Circuit recently issued a PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) ruling that found favorably for an employer in a meal and rest break case, the state Legislature didn’t advance a bill that sought to amend the statute.
Governor Newsom enacts new legislation to help small business; others await veto or signature
While Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed three bills designed to take pressure off small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the fate of highly debated workplace legislation still has not been decided.
Favorable ruling for coffee companies in Prop 65 lawsuit; ‘Will protect business owners from onerous litigation'
A 10-year-old Proposition 65 lawsuit has been dismissed after a judge found the defendant coffee companies had met the burden of proof by showing that acrylamide, which is found in coffee after roasting and brewing, doesn’t increase cancer risks.
Voters to revisit rent control on Nov. 3; ‘The world has changed because of COVID, but this is the same tired, defeated idea’
A November ballot initiative, Proposition 21, which would allow local governments to expand rent control measures, has raised concerns it would lead to less supply amid California’s historic housing shortage.
New blueprint for economic recovery may impact hiring; ‘Some constraints are going to be with us until we can get the pandemic under control’
The new state guidance for reopening while living amid the COVID-19 pandemic presents a framework for short-term recovery, but it also raises questions about more job losses and business closures.
Host of new pandemic-related workplace bills now before the governor
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed AB 2257, emergency legislation that exempts more professions from the controversial AB 5 law, while the outcome for other key workplace legislation was not known yet.
New law extends eviction protection through January; ‘Stopgap solution because a comprehensive solution couldn’t be found’
New state legislation that provides relief to tenants overlooks financial difficulties for small property owners and should only be an interim measure, until financial help for renters can be included in the next COVID-19 stimulus package, a rental housing business advocate said.
AB 72 brief analyzes impact of medical billing reform law that's had bad consequences for patients and practitioners
A new policy brief about the impact of California AB 72 finds that the law – designed to alleviate surprise medical billing – while well-intentioned also has unintended consequences that have increased medical costs and affected quality of care.
NFIB: Lawmakers have opportunity to make California more welcoming to small businesses
With California legislators close to wrapping up this year’s abbreviated session, trade leaders hope further reforms will soon be passed to address liability protections and other concerns impacting small businesses months into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposal to avoid systemic blackouts before State Water Resources Control Board
The recent heat wave and rolling blackouts have prompted more discussion on how to fix energy reliability when the next power generation crisis occurs.
PAGA reform addressed in new appellate ruling; Attorney got $630,000, plaintiff got $10,000
As California lawmakers reach the end of a legislative session shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a proposal that could reform the PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) is on the table for consideration.
Uber, Lyft granted stay in AB5 court case; ‘Argument the companies keep making is we are platforms, we are go-betweens’
The court battle to reclassify Uber and Lyft drivers as employees in accordance with AB5 may exacerbate California’s unemployment rate if the companies follow through on intimations to move out of state.
Judicial panel rules against multi-district business interruption case but approves potential insurer-specific option
Given the differences in Business Interruption claims filed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a federal panel has denied combining the cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL) yet ordered several insurers to show why there should not be an MDL specific to the company.
Equal application of COVID-19 deterrents essential as people return to work, expert says
As businesses plan for reopening, any COVID-19 testing of employees must be done uniformly or it could result in litigation under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) or California’s fair employment statute, a law professor said.
State releases business reopening playbook; ‘They’re trying to create a sense of certainty so that companies can function and stay functioning’
The newly released state guidance for bringing employees back to work will help establish predictability on what’s expected, but businesses will need go a step further to ensure operations continue without disruption, a policy director said.
Privacy considerations prevalent as COVID-19 testing migrates to workplaces
As businesses embark on reopening plans, the question of how to test employees and customers for COVID-19 could present difficulty especially in the area of privacy law.
Medical community urges vote against AG authority over health care partnerships; ‘There’s not due process’
A bill that would make the Attorney General responsible for approving health care provider affiliations has drawn opposition from the medical community, which doesn’t want to grant such sweeping power to the government.
Proposed tax increase could reach 16.8%; ‘Will discourage growth and encourage some of the state's largest taxpayers to leave California’
A proposal to retroactively raise taxes on higher earning individuals and businesses is being considered by state lawmakers who have not yet indicated when it will be voted on before the Legislature adjourns Aug. 31.