California State Senate
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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. -
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" -
California water supply and strategy bills get bipartisan support in Sacramento
A long-term update to the California Water Plan received unanimous bipartisan support in the California Senate this session and may be brought back next year after more logistical aspects can be considered. -
Newsom signs bill allowing lawsuits to continue, even amid fight over whether arbitration is required
In what’s anticipated to mean more angst for California businesses, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a new law, SB 365, that allows court cases to continue against employers while arbitration appeals are still pending. -
Newsom vetoes bill that would have paid striking workers amid rising unemployment debt
Business groups warned the legislation would have only worsened strikes, by making strikes far less painful for unions, while at the same time further draining the state's unemployment funds. -
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 -
State senator introduces bill to regulate third-party 'loan sharks' in litigation financing
A California tort reform group has expressed support for a state Senate bill that aims to protect consumers and the state’s justice system from problems arising from the third-party financing of civil lawsuits. -
Crime, inflation still rank as top issues for voters ahead of Nov. 8 election
With the debate between candidates for California governor set for later this weekend, it’s raising questions about how each will address inflation, cost of living, and crime – issues that have consistently ranked as important to voters throughout this election year. -
Republican senators call for action on California gas prices
With California’s high gas prices contributing to the record 9.1 percent inflation rate announced last week, concerns persist about why Democratic lawmakers have failed to act on immediate means of relief. -
New bill lays out accountability measures to help California’s homeless residents
A bill to have cities and counties provide data on homeless populations, to help gauge program expenditures and efficiency, has passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance. -
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. -
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. -
New Senate bills seek to mandate oversight of state’s no-bid contracts
As questions persist on the processes that precede the awarding of no-bid state contracts in California, new legislation seeks to provide objective financial input before conferring such business opportunities. -
Amid worsening drought, lawmakers call for implementation of overdue water storage projects
As California faces ongoing severe drought conditions, lawmakers are urging immediate action to implement billions in funding already approved by voters to build new water storage and maintain existing infrastructure. -
Legislators urge Newsom administration to act on delayed water storage projects
With the state projecting a $31 billion budget surplus, lawmakers are calling for certain allocations to go toward overdue water storage projects already approved by California voters. -
State Bar of California Names George S. Cardona as New Chief Trial Counsel for the Attorney Discipline System
State Bar of California Names George S. Cardona as New Chief Trial Counsel for the Attorney Discipline System. -
Lawmakers urge further budget action on wildfire, water resource management
Amid the state’s drought conditions and growing concerns about what this year’s fire season will look like, lawmakers are calling for additional attention to water storage and wildfire resources ahead of the state's final 2021-22 budget. -
Senate approves bill to make checking EDD claims against prison records standard practice
A bill, SB 39, to mandate cross checking prisoner records with Employment Development Department (EDD) claims unanimously passed the Senate 38 to 0 on May 28. -
EDD reform legislation passes Senate unanimously, awaits Assembly hearing
Legislation that would require the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to implement specific fraud prevention measures contains an urgency clause that would make it effective immediately. -
Senate Labor Committee unanimously approves EDD accountability bill
A bill, SB 232, requiring the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) to meet deadlines for fixing how it handles claims and implements fraud prevention has been unanimously passed by a Senate committee and is scheduled for another hearing next week.