Sarah Downey News
Ninth Circuit decision clarifies how First Amendment applies to California’s Proposition 65
A precedent-setting decision in California Chamber of Commerce v. CERT, issued by the Ninth Circuit earlier this month, clarifies how the First Amendment applies to Proposition 65 warnings.
Legislators Hurtado, Nguyen honored for support, leadership in civil justice matters
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has announced the recipients of its Civil Justice Gavel Award, which is given annually to one Democrat and one Republican legislator who demonstrate willingness to work across the aisle in pursuit of fairness and balance in the state’s legal system.
PAGA can’t bypass federal arbitration law, amicus argues ahead of Viking v. Moriana
A new amicus brief filed with U.S. Supreme Court in Viking v. Moriana argues that California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is not exempt from the rules of the Federal Arbitration Act.
As U.S. bans Russian oil imports, lawmakers call on Newsom to make up deficit in Kern County’s existing production hub
The war in Ukraine and resulting ban on Russian oil imports has prompted renewed efforts to stem surging gas prices, with state lawmakers urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend gas taxes and to bring oil to Californians from already existing wells in Kern County instead of foreign countries.
Environmental law exemption for UC Berkeley prompts calls for more legislative reform
With last week’s legislative action to exempt the University of California at Berkeley from a long-standing state environmental law, it’s raising questions about how the statute could be further reformed to help not just schools but a host of infrastructure, housing, wildfire protection, and other projects.
GOP lawmaker wants another vote to repeal Prop 47 - ending 'out of control' smash and grabs
The Assembly Public Safety Committee decided along party lines last week to keep a controversial law on criminal theft that recent polling shows many voters want off the books.
Amicus brief on California’s PAGA distributed to U.S. Supreme Court ahead of hearing in Viking v. Moriana
An amicus brief by the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) has been distributed to the U.S. Supreme Court prior to oral arguments later this month in Viking v. Moriana, a case involving the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Following Newsom’s SOTS speech, lawmakers urge further action on gas affordability, homelessness programs
After Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State of the State speech last Tuesday, questions continue about how current policies on crime, gas prices, and homelessness can change to help improve the lives of people here.
New scorecard rates lawmakers’ efforts to bring equity to California’s civil justice system
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released a new scorecard that gauges legislators’ recent work to foster parity and balance in the state’s civil court procedures, evaluating actions on key bills concerning unwarranted liability expansions, frivolous litigation, and private rights of action (PRAs).
Proposed class action lawsuit adds to growing litigation over PFAS in cosmetics
A newly proposed class action lawsuit about PFAS in cosmetics is raising question about how it could impact the manufacturing of products used by millions of consumers every day.
Ballot initiative seeks school choice regardless of zipcode; Supporter: proposal will introduce competition to unlock 'conflict with parents'
As lawmakers look to a record-setting budget to turn around a series of setbacks for the California public education system, proponents of a new school choice ballot initiative believe it’s better to let the money follow the student to a school best suited to the individual.
Ninth Circuit delays rehearing arbitration decision until SCOTUS rules on other arbitration case
The Ninth Circuit has announced it will defer ruling on a California case involving arbitration, Chamber of Commerce v. Bonta, because the U.S. Supreme Court is now reviewing another California case, Viking v. Moriana, addressing how arbitration falls under the Federal Arbitration Act.
Supreme Court asked to review California environmental regulation case impacting UC Berkeley admissions
The California Supreme Court has been asked to review a lower court ruling that held the University of California at Berkeley failed to adequately account for the overall impact of adding 3,000 additional students for the 2022-23 school year.
New study shows more ADA litigation in California than all other states combined
As businesses seek to reopen amid the economic challenges of the pandemic, concerns persist that excessive litigation is causing many to close or leave the state and that such data has hasn’t prompted reform efforts by the state Legislature.
New law to expand environmental statute prompts concerns amid California housing shortage
A bill, AB 1001, to incorporate Environmental Justice (EJ) principles into the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is raising questions about the how it would duplicate procedures enacted six years ago with SB 1000, which mandates all municipalities apply their own EJ policies to reduce risks in disadvantaged communities.
California vaccine mandates questioned as state moves to endemic phase
As California begins to shift from pandemic to endemic in its approach to COVID-19, it’s raising questions about how it will impact proposed legislation that would mandate proof of vaccination status in employment.
New legislation proposes comprehensive ‘wrap around’ assessment teams to solve California’s ongoing homeless crisis
As California has continued to lead the nation in homelessness, a new measure would provide grants to local municipalities to fund qualified assessment teams to help direct individuals into appropriate programs.
In Viking case before SCOTUS, amicus briefs argue California’s PAGA statute not exempt from federal arbitration law
A host of state and national business groups have provided amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court in the Viking v. Moriana case, arguing that litigation filed under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) isn’t exempt from the provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA).
San Francisco school board recall vote echoes parental frustration across California
With last week’s overwhelming vote to recall three San Francisco school board members, it’s raising questions about how the referendum could impact public education and politics across California as parents go to the polls in year three of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Questions persist as once defeated AB 257 scheduled for Senate consideration
A bill to create a fast food council within state government is raising questions about impartiality, transparency, and how high it could drive the price of meals that many California residents rely on.