As small businesses seek to reopen and stay open, a new bill, SB 430, would provide them a range of regulatory relief, including evaluating the steps taken to correct alleged violations before facing fines.
The measure, introduced by Sen. Andreas Borgeas, R-Fresno, would require state agencies to work with business owners to produce policies providing relief from certain civil penalties. Institutional support includes the California Chamber of Commerce, California Manufacturers and Technology Association, United Chamber Advocacy Network, California Association of Licensed Investigators, and the California Retailers Association.
“This proactive measure goes a long way to show our small businesses in California that you’re important, we recognize what you’ve been through, and through this legislation we’re providing some relief to help businesses keep their doors open,” Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association (CRA), told the Northern California Record.
The measure has bipartisan support, passing the Senate Business and Professions Committee by a unanimous 12-0 vote last week.
SB 430, known as The Small Business Fairness Act, is part of Borgeas’ Economic Recovery Package, which includes SB 74 and SB 265.
“Small businesses and their employees are an essential part of our economy,” Borgeas said in a news release. “The state of California must do everything in its power to help them recover as they struggle to survive from this pandemic-induced recession. Waiving and reducing fines for small businesses is a significant step on the pathway to economic recovery.”
The measure, which would apply to operations with 100 or fewer employees, would waive penalties depending on, “The degree to which the small business engaged in subsequent action to correct the violation.”
“My hope is that this legislation opens the door to a broader conversation about the regulatory environment in California,” Michelin said. “Agencies that are not accountable to voters are passing regulations that make it more and more challenging to do business here. I hope it leads to these regulators talking to each other so we have a more comprehensive approach to how businesses can operate in our state.”