Reform News
Reform
New amicus brief filed in case challenging constitutionality of California’s PAGA statute
In litigation over the constitutionality of California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed an amicus brief urging the court to find the statute violates the state’s separation of powers doctrine.
Reform
Business community urges legislative action to address roadblocks to financial recovery
With an array of new California laws taking effect this year, questions persist about how meaningful liability reform will be considered in 2022, particularly as supply chain issues and the new Omicron variant increase concerns about economic recovery.
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Reform
New ballot initiatives seek to improve California’s ranking as nation’s top ‘Judicial Hellhole’
With California now back at the top of the annual Judicial Hellholes ranking from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), it’s raising questions about whether state lawmakers may undertake reforms when the legislative session resumes in early January.
Reform
California retakes top spot in annual ranking of 'Judicial Hellholes'
California has been named the nation’s top Judicial Hellhole, up two slots from last year, in the 20th annual ranking from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).
Reform
‘It’s time to put the power back in the hands of workers’: California Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act filed at state level
The California Fair Pay and Employer Accountability Act has recently been filed at the state level, in attempt to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and create a consultation and policy publication unit in the Labor Commissioner’s office.
Reform
New ballot initiative seeks to provide full award to workers by replacing the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)
A ballot measure that would reform the Private Attorneys Generals Act (PAGA) by strengthening the current system available for all workers through the Labor Commissioner, and ensuring monetary settlements are retained by the workers themselves instead of their attorneys, is awaiting title and summary from the Attorney General’s office.
Reform
Civil justice group proposes ballot measures to reform attorney tactics and the impact on consumers
Two initiatives from the Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) have been submitted for next year’s general election ballot to protect injured consumers in court cases from delayed resolution and improper compensation.
Reform
Government intervenes in complaints against Kaiser Permanente affiliates for allegedly submitting inaccurate codes
The government has intervened in six complaints that allege members of Kaiser Permanente violated the False Claims Act by submitting inaccurate diagnosis codes, according to a Department of Justice press release.
Reform
Award for civil justice leadership goes to Assemblymembers Choi, Rubio
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has selected two Assemblymembers to receive the organization’s 2021 Civil Justice Gavel Award for their willingness to work toward fairness and balance in California’s legal system.
Reform
Website accessibility lawsuits increase amid pandemic, prompting further calls for reform
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lawsuits alleging website noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been on the rise, due in part to more people spending time online, more attorneys seeking out plaintiffs, and garnering attention from Congress members who have reintroduced reform legislation.
Reform
Ninth Circuit overturns multi-million dollar damages award in PAGA claim
A federal appeals court has reversed a $102 million damages award in a case that alleged faulty wage statement itemization under the California Labor Code and the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Reform
New study shows merits of further tort reform in California
A new report examining the impact of excessive tort claims in California finds that reforming the system could help create more than 200,000 jobs and an estimated $46 billion in economic activity.
Reform
Court venue selection raises concerns about PAGA case outcomes
A recent appeals court ruling highlights a controversial procedure in litigation involving PAGA (Private Attorneys General) Act claims.
Reform
New bill proposing reform of 'burdensome' regulation awaits committee hearing date
As California businesses look to emerge from the COVID-19 economic downturn, they continue to face a host of operating regulations that a new bill, AB 2, seeks to streamline in an effort to ease the road to recovery.
Reform
New report on PAGA case outcomes includes recommendations for reform
A groundbreaking study on the impact of the PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) demonstrates the degree to which the controversial law has benefited attorneys over the employees it was enacted to help.
Reform
Senate Republicans call for EDD reform mandates in state budget
The Senate is calling for Employment Development Department (EDD) reform to be incorporated in the budget, as a means to expedite the state auditor mandates issued last month.
Reform
Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act reintroduced in Congress, potentially transforming U.S. Labor law with union agenda
Expansive federal legislation that would rewrite labor law, and codify the “ABC” test for worker classification – already in California’s controversial AB 5 – is under consideration on Capitol Hill.
Reform
New study examines high cost of California fees and where funding goes
A new analysis, "Nickel and Dimed: Cell Phone Fees to Mattress Fees – How Californians’ Money is Really Being Spent," examines the high costs residents pay for government services, offers solutions for reform, and suggests eliminating such fees could help with economic recovery.
Reform
Business owners look to lawmakers for help on boosting industry recovery
Even as new polling shows a modest uptick in confidence among small businesses, there are questions about what new legislative proposals will be put forth to help build on it.
Reform
New scorecard rates legislators’ efforts to instill fairness in California’s civil justice system
The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released a first-time scorecard that gauges lawmakers’ recent work to foster parity and balance in the state’s civil court procedures, evaluating actions on key bills concerning liability expansions, frivolous litigation, reform, and other policy.