With the legislative session heading into its final days, questions remain about the impact of potential bills on residents, businesses, and California’s economic recovery.
Lawmakers continue discussion on pending legislation impacting manufacturing, including SB 62, which has raised concerns among the business community. As noted in an Aug. 30 CalChamber letter to legislative leaders, it would alter evidentiary standards and restrict a company’s right to due process.
“This bill places enormous burdens on employers in the clothing industry, presumes that entities with no control over garment workers are liable for an employee’s entire wage claim, and includes punitive enforcement measures,” the letter states.
It goes on to note that SB 62 does not address underlying issues in the industry, particularly the lack of enforcement of current standards, and the need to educate workers and employers about California’s labor laws.
“SB 62 will put employers in this industry, who are already suffering from the financial crisis of this pandemic, out of business or force them to move operations outside of California,” the letter states.
SB 62 passed in the Assembly last week by a vote of 52-16.
Bill sponsor state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, did not respond to a request for comment from the Record.
A measure to exempt Cal/OSHA from a regulatory analysis mandate is also opposed by the business community.
As noted in an Aug. 27 CalChamber post, SB 410 would exempt workplace rules from a critical fiscal evaluation, thus depriving the public, lawmakers, and the regulated community of vital information about how proposed rules will impact workplaces across California.
In an email response to the Northern California Record, Sergio Reyes, communications director for the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Connie M. Leyva, D-Chino, said, “SB 410 prioritizes the health and safety of California workers by ensuring that the rulemaking process is not unnecessarily delayed, which could further endanger workers on the job.”
SB 410 is currently before the Assembly and may be acted on this week.
“Our office does not have comment on the potential outcome of upcoming legislative votes,” Reyes said.