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Legwatch 2007-08
| Corp. counsel (31 bills) Education (13 bills) Energy (25 bills) | Environmental qual. (44 bills) Govt. Relations (1 bills) Labor, employment (18 bills) Safety & Health (4 bills) | Infrastructure (2 bills) Tax (66 bills) Worker's comp. (20 bills) |
2005-06 Legislative session bills are here
2003-04 Legislative session bills are here
| CORPORATE COUNSEL CMTA lobbyist: Greg Hines, (916) 498.3318 | Position | Status | |
| Consumer Product Recall SB 1575 (Florez) Establishes the Consumer Product Recall Protection and Enforcement Act which would prohibit the manufacture, production, selling, offering for sale or distribution, or keeping for sale or distribution within the State of California, or the introduction into this state, any consumer product subject to a recall. The bill prohibits any person from importing, receiving, or delivering to any other person, or manufacturing, producing, selling, or offering or keeping for sale in the State, any consumer product subject to a recall. The bill act would make it unlawful to refuse to permit entry, inspection, or access to and copying of any record in order to enforce these provisions. Violations would be punishable as a misdemeanor and subject to civil penalty of $2,500 per violation. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| EDUCATION CMTA lobbyist: Dorothy Rothrock, (916) 498-3319 | Position | Status | |
| Career Technical Education AB 1414 (Hancock) Provides funding for expansion of career technical education through Prop. 98. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Failed passage | |
| UC/CSU Admission Requirements AB 1586 (DeSaulnier) Requires the CSU Board of Trustees and encourages the UC Board of Regents to qualify any high school Career Technical Education course that meets the model curriculum standards approved by the State Board of Education as satisfying the elective requirement of the A-G eligibility process. Students will be encouraged to take CTE courses to help meet their college admissions goals. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Senate Committee on Education | |
| Regional Occupational Centers AB 2515 (Hancock) Authorizes a ROC/P, upon certification by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to offer an Apprenticeship Preparation Program. Requires the State Department of Education, in collaboration with representatives from building trades and construction apprenticeship training organizations, ROC/P faculty members, and ROC/P curriculum coordinators, to develop curriculum covering all aspects of the building trades and construction industry. The bill would require that the curriculum meet specified standards and requirements. Sponsored by the State Building & Construction Trades Council. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| CTE AB 2648 (Bass) Creates a council to develop a 5 year plan to expand “multiple pathways” programs to prepare students for careers and college. The definition of multiple pathways includes partnership academies and other similar theme-based programs. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| CTE, Partnership Academies, Green Tech & Goods Movement AB 2855 (Hancock) Establishes 2 new categories of partnership academies for Green Technology and Goods Movement in 2009. When funds become available, the State Dept of Ed and Superintendent would be required to issue grants for the establishment of 9 partnership academies dedicated to training young people in the emerging environmentally sound technologies related to the design and construction industries, and 4 partnership academies dedicated to training young people in goods movement occupational areas, such as port and terminal operations, shipping, logistics, trucking, rail, air, and security, as space becomes available within the total number of grants available for all partnership academies under existing law. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| School Accountability AB 400 (Nunez)  More bill infoIncludes career technical education when measuring the performance of public schools and pupils. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| CTE for University Admissions AB 876 (Davis) Requires the California State University, and requests the University of California, to recognize CTE coursework for admissions criteria. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Senate Committee on Education | |
| CTE Act of 2008 SB 1248 (Wyland) A comprehensive reform to CTE, this bill requires that CTE courses be available to all students, it improves CTE facilities and it creates a new pipeline of CTE teachers. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Senate Committee on Education | |
| School Facilities Funding – CTE Facilities SB 13 (Wyland) More bill infoThe K-12 Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006 authorizes the sale of $7 billion of state GO bonds to construct and modernize education facilities. This bill requires the State Allocation Board (SAB) to ask applicants for funding whether the funding would be used for CTE facilities, and if not, how the applicant plans to meet the needs of pupils related to CTE. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| CTE Facilities Program SB 1327 (Wyland) Allows the value of donated equipment to qualify as a match under the terms of the grant program for career and technical facilities development. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Climate Change, CTE and Clean Technology Job Creation Bond Act SB 1672 (Steinberg) Subject to voter approval, authorizes the issuance of $3 billion in state general obligation bonds for specified purposes, including the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation jobs, businesses, and educational and worker training programs; the development of clean technology businesses and jobs, and educational and worker training programs; and the development of businesses, technologies, infrastructure investment, and jobs that will help California adapt to climate change with special attention for actions that will benefit disadvantaged communities. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support if Amended | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| HS Graduation Requirements SB 672 (Torlakson) Adds career technical education courses to requirements for high school graduation. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Education | |
| ENERGY CMTA lobbyist: Dorothy Rothrock, (916) 498-3319 | Position | Status | |
| Nuclear Power Plants AB 1046 (Leno) Prohibits the CPUC from allowing an investor-owned utility from recovering specified costs incurred in seeking renewal of certification to operate a nuclear fission thermal power plant, unless the CEC has completed its assessment prior to the utility filing an application for license renewal with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Annual Report on Implementation of AB 32 AB 109 (Nunez) Requires CARB to report to the Legislature annually on the status and progress of implementing the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Senate Floor | |
| Waste Heat and Carbon Emissions Reductions AB 1613 (Blakeslee) Previously provided numerous subsidies and preferential treatment to combined heat and power (CHP) distributed generation technologies. States legislative intent to obtain an unspecified number of megawatts (MW) of new electrical generation by the year 2015 utilizing waste heat through CHP systems. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Nuclear Power Plants AB 1776 (DeVore) Lifts the statewide ban on new nuclear power plant construction. Prohibits the CEC from certifying a site for a nuclear power plant in seismically active areas or within five miles of a designated coastal area of biological significance. Failed Passage. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Natural Resources | |
| Renewable Electric Generation Facilities – Feed-in Tariffs AB 1807 (Fuentes) Creates a feed-in tariff for large (1.5 to 20MW) renewable power generation. Currently, a competitive process is undertaken by the utilities to ensure ratepayers are paying no more than necessary for renewable power. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce | |
| GHG Emissions – Sale of Voluntary Offsets AB 1851 (Nava) Beginning on January 1, 2011, requires sellers of greenhouse gas emission offsets to ensure with 3rd party verification that the emission reductions are real, additional, measurable. Penalties apply for violations. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Thermal Powerplant Certification AB 1909 (Hayashi) Requires the CEC to gain the approval of the local government prior to licensing electric generation in certain circumstances. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce | |
| Net Metering of Solar and Wind Generating Resources AB 1920 (Huffman) Requires utilities to purchase surplus generation from an eligible customer-generator. CMTA supports policies that bring competitively priced power to the market, but the bill should not allow the amount to be paid from the surplus generation to exceed the cost that would apply in the market for similar quality energy. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose Unless Amended | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency Bond Act AB 2003 (Saldana) Subject to voter approval at the November 4, 2008 statewide general election, authorizes the issuance and sale of $2 billion in state general obligation bonds for specified purposes, including expanding the development and use of solar, wind, and geothermal energy, fuel cells, and other energy generating technologies that would assist the state in meeting the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 GHG emission targets. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| California Solar and Clean Energy Jobs Initiative AB 2224 (De La Torre) Requires CPUC, in consultation with the CEC and the Contractors' State License Board, to develop and implement the California Solar and Clean Energy Jobs Initiative to (1) create a standardized curriculum and training, and (2) provide information, guidance, and assistance. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| GHG – Energy Efficiency AB 2267 (Fuentes) Creates incentives and preferences in various state programs for California-based companies involved in renewable, clean energy. The programs include the Public Interest Energy Research program, the Self-generation Incentive Program, and others. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Solar Energy Systems Pricing AB 2768 (Levine) Requires that a ratepayer who installs a solar energy system be given the option to take service under flat rate or time-variant pricing, if there is a flat rate pricing schedule for which the ratepayer would have qualified if the ratepayer had not installed the system. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Floor | |
| Electricity and Transmission Grid AB 2790 (Blakeslee) Spot bill to modernize the electricity and transmission grid in a manner that encourages customers to voluntarily reduce consumption, improves an IOU's ability to detect and prevent power outages, and maximizes use of existing infrastructure whenever economically and technically feasible. Failed Passage, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Natural Resources | |
| Waste Heat and Carbon Emissions Reduction Act AB 2791 (Blakeslee) Last year’s AB 1613 authorized the CPUC to require an IOU to purchase excess electricity from a CHP customer that complies with the sizing, energy efficiency, and air pollution control requirements, and require IOUs to file a standard tariff for the purchase of excess electricity from an eligible customer-generator. This bill extends AB 1613 eligibility to nonprofit organizations and federal, state and local government facilities. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Floor | |
| Clean Vehicle Incentive Program AB 493 (Ruskin) Requires CARB to create and implement a clean vehicle incentive program that provides rebates to, and surcharges from, purchasers of new motor vehicles based on the vehicles' greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Self Generation Incentive Program ‘Carveout’ for Residential Ratepayers SB 1012 (Kehoe) Extends until Jan. 1, 2012, the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for non-solar distributed generation resources and requires the CPUC to ensure that beginning Jan. 1, 2008, no costs of the SGIP for distributed generation resources are recovered from residential customers. CMTA strongly supports extending SGIP eligibility for natural gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) technologies. However, SB 1210, as amended Sept. 7, raises significant concerns. First, the bill engages in legislative ratemaking. The SGIP is funded through the Public Goods Charge (PGC), a nonbypassable charge applicable to all customers. The allocation of costs is the type of issue that the CPUC is best suited to examine through appropriate proceedings. The Legislature has neither the expertise nor the resources to undertake such an effort. Second, the bill’s “carve-out” for residential customers – customers who have benefited from the SGIP, and remain eligible for the program – raises significant equity concerns given that none of the other PGC-funded social programs are funded in that manner. CMTA would remove its opposition to SB 1012 if the bill were amended to delete the provisions requiring that beginning Jan. 1, 2008, no costs of the SGIP are recovered from residential customers. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose Unless Amended | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Low Carbon Fuel Standard SB 1240 (Kehoe) Requires CARB to adopt, implement, and enforce a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) by regulation that achieves the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels, and at least a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by January 1, 2020. The LCFS would apply to all refiners, blenders, producers, and importers of transportation fuels to the extent permitted by law. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Renewable Diesel Standards SB 140 (Kehoe) More bill infoRequires that diesel fuel sold in this state contain at least two percent renewable diesel within one year after the CARB makes specified determinations and at least five percent renewable diesel no later than two years later. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Assembly Floor | |
| Renewable Electric Generation SB 1714 (Negrete McLeod) Requires utilities to offer “feed-in tariffs” for customer-controlled renewable generation under 4MW based on the market-price referent (MPR) adjusted for additional benefits (congestion relief, reduced GHG, etc), up to a total of 250 MW statewide. Other incentives available to the customer would also apply. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Low-Carbon Fuel Standard SB 210 (Kehoe) Requires CARB to adopt and implement a low-carbon fuel standard that achieves at least a 10 percent reduction in GHG emissions. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Renewable Portfolio Standard SB 411 (Simitian) Increases the utility renewable electricity portfolio requirement from 20 to 33 percent. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Siting of Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities SB 412 (Simitian) Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to conduct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) needs assessment study to assess alternatives to natural gas to meet energy demands and determine the number of LNG terminals, if any, needed to meet the state's projected natural gas demand. Prohibits the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from authorizing an entity under its jurisdiction to enter into a contract with an entity to supply LNG to the state, and prohibits the governor and state and local officials from issuing a permit to construct or operate a LNG facility within the state or a pipeline from a LNG facility outside the state until the LNG Need Evaluation Report has been adopted. Establishes, on September 1, 2008, the Renewable Energy and Fossil Fuel Assessment Council. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Interruptible Service SB 428 (Dutton) More bill infoRequires the CPUC to offer optional interruptible or curtailable service to their customers. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| Alternative Fuels Performance Standard SB 494 (Kehoe) Requires CARB to adopt regulations to ensure that 25 percent of new passenger and light-duty trucks sold in California beginning in 2015 are clean alternative vehicles, and that 50 percent of new passenger and light-duty trucks sold in 2020 are clean alternative vehicles. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Transportation | |
| Strategic Investment Council SB 660 (Perata) Establishes the Strategic Investment Council, administered by the Resources Agency, to coordinate expenditures of state RD&D funds. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CMTA lobbyist: Mike Rogge, (916) 498.3313 | Position | Status | |
| Residential Green Building Standards AB 1058 (Laird) Mandates that all new residential construction meet the LEED gold rating standard. This bill would significantly increase the cost of already high housing for employees. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Hazardous Materials – Administrative Penalties AB 1098 (Saldana) Allows agency staff to bypass their governing bodies when setting administrative penalties and creates new criminal penalties. Allowing agency staff to bypass governing bodies when setting penalties is unsound public policy. The current system creates “checks and balances” that prevent agencies from increasing the number of penalties for inappropriate reasons, such as increasing their source of funding. Apparently, this bill was meant as cleanup legislation by the CUPA’s. CMTA helped negotiated acceptable language to this bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Phthalates in Children’s Products AB 1108 (Ma) More bill infoSeeks to ban a wide range of consumer products which contain phthalates that are intended for use by children. The bill was amended dropping Bisphenol-A from the ban. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| Public Resources: Local Coast Programs – Non-point Sources AB 1338 (Huffman) Expands the land use authority of the California Coastal Commission through the regulation of non-point sources of water pollution outside of the state’s existing water quality law, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act. AB 1338 would add greater confusion for local governments, landowners and businesses in the coastal zone that are trying to address this issue by creating a duplicative and overlapping regulatory program and, in addition, give the Coastal Commission the final word over the regional water quality control board. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Hazardous Waste – Civil Penalty AB 1371 (Ruskin) Previously Imposed a civil penalty of up to $25,000 against a person who intentionally or negligently treats, or stores, or causes the treatment or storage of hazardous waste at an unauthorized site. Current law only applies to a person who intentionally or negligently disposes or causes the disposal of hazardous waste at an unauthorized site. CMTA didn’t have a problem with a penalty for intentionally or negligently treating or storing a chemical at an unauthorized site. However, CMTA members objected to the potential liability that could be imposed if a company with whom they have contracted fails to handle their hazardous waste in an acceptable manner, even though they did due diligence in the selection of that contractor. The bill has been amended alleviating our concerns. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Electronic Waste – Personal Computers AB 1535 (Huffman) Adds personal computers to the list of electronic devices covered under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20). It requires the retailer to collect a $6 per unit recycling fee from the consumer at the time of sale. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Unsafe Recalled Products AB 1860 (Huffman) Prohibits the sale of and dictates the disposal of manufactured goods that fit the bill’s broad definition of "unsafe product," including those recalled. In some cases, the bill applies to "repair, replacement, or refund" programs. Manufacturers would be required to certify disposal compliance. Also requires manufacturers to establish a notification system when recalling products. Stiff fines would be imposed on those who sell recalled products. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Hazardous Materials – Toxic Substances AB 1879 (Feuer) Spot bill giving the Department of Toxic Substance Control the authority to regulate the sale of products containing chemical(s) known to be hazardous. This bill has been amended to tell DTSC what their program should entail and lists specific chemicals to be included. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Building Standards AB 2112 (Saldana) Requires the CEC to adopt zero energy building design, construction, and water conservation standards for new residential constructions after January 1, 2020, and new nonresidential constructions starting January 1, 2030. The technology is not currently available to accomplish this goal and the cost of new homes would skyrocket. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Hazardous Waste – Electronic Devices AB 218 (Saldana) Prohibits the sale of electronic devices containing specified heavy metal if they have been banned by the European Union. This bill essentially starts where AB 48 from last year (which failed) left off. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Environmental Quality | |
| Children’s Breathing Rights Act AB 233 (Jones) Significantly increases penalties for stationery source violations. Also opens prosecution to both civil and criminal penalties for the same violation. This bill is similar to SB 1205 (Escutia) on steroids, which died in the Assembly last year. AB 233 has now been amended into a bill which has nothing to do with stationary source penalties and instead deals with diesel mobile source idling penalties. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Mercury-Added Thermostats AB 2347 (Ruskin) Requires any manufacturer that sells thermostats in California after Jan. 1, 2009, and previously sold mercury-added thermostats prior to Jan. 1, 2006, to establish and maintain a collection and recycling program for out-of-service thermostats by Jan. 1, 2010. This bill has been significantly amended, but there are still problems to be ironed out. Performance standards are yet to be specified. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose Unless Amended | Senate Committee on Environmental Quality | |
| PVC Packaging Ban AB 2505 (Brownley) Bans the use of polyvinyl chloride packaging beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Hazardous Materials – Metal Plating Facility AB 2536 (Nunez) Allows chrome plating facilities to access grant money for the purchase of high performance environmental control equipment. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Oil Spill Prevention and Response AB 2547 (Leno) Revises the definition of “dedicated response resources” to mean equipment and personnel permanently located in each port area. Applies to S.F., L.A., Long Beach and San Diego ports only. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Funding Alternative Fuels and Vehicle Technologies AB 2645 (Nunez) Expands the list of eligible projects under the program to include specified life-cycle and multimedia analyses. It recasts the definition of “full-cycle assessment” or “life-cycle assessment” to include feedstock cultivation and use of water, changes in land use and land cover related to feedstock and fuel production. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Oil Spill Prevention – Nonmarine Waters AB 2912 (Wolk) As introduced, this bill would remove the stipulation that a “spill” must consist of a minimum of at least one barrel of oil and makes other related provisions. This concern was amended out. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Recommended Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Solid Waste – Polystyrene Packaging AB 3025 (Lieber) Prohibits a person from selling polystyrene loose-fill packaging (popcorn) after Jan. 1, 2012. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Natural Resources | |
| Green Chemistry AB 3031 (Lieber) Was introduced as a spot bill (like Feuer’s AB 1879) to review Cal EPA’s Green Chemistry Initiative findings. The bill could be used to enact a comprehensive Green Chemistry Act. As now amended, it deals with information requirements for Green Chemistry evaluation. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Underground Storage Tanks - Hazardous Substances & Water Quality AB 422 (Hancock) Requires that all releases from underground storage tanks be treated as are all releases under the California Superfund Act. Amended to satisfy CMTA’s concerns. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Hazardous Waste – Electronic Devices AB 48 (Saldana) More bill infoProhibits the sale of electronic devices containing specified heavy metals if they have been banned by the European Union. This bill starts off where AB 2202 died last year. The majority of the objectionable language from last year’s bill (from our perspective) had been amended out, but further negotiations on the bill are necessary. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| PBDE Prohibition AB 513 (Lieber) Bans decaPBDE, a widely used flame retardant, from distribution or use in manufacturing after January 1, 2011. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Electronic Waste – Computers AB 546 (Brownley) Adds CPU towers to the list of electronic devices covered under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20). It previously required the retailer to collect a $10 per unit recycling fee from the consumer at the time of sale. It was then amended into a labeling bill that would have been virtually impossible to implement and of questionable value. The bill was amended again to require only that the retailer post signage of where electronic goods can be returned for recycling. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Toxic Chemicals – Use Reduction AB 558 (Feuer) Requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to adopt a toxic or hazardous substance list consisting of the chemicals identified on the Toxic Chemical List established pursuant to the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, and the substances identified pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, and to annually revise those listings. The bill would also authorize DTSC to add or delete any additional substance from the toxic or hazardous substance list, pursuant to a specified procedure. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Toxic Effects of Fire Retardants AB 706 (Leno) Bans two entire classes of flame retardant chemicals – brominated and chlorinated – in furniture and bedding applications, based on the false premise that all chemicals in a given class are essentially the same. This assumption ignores the fact that regulators routinely distinguish between individual chemicals within the same family based on scientific evidence demonstrating different physical, chemical and toxicological properties. The bill also mandates changes to California’s current furniture flammability standards, the most stringent in the nation, that would significantly increase costs to consumers and could compromise the safety of furniture products. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Floor | |
| E-Waste Recycling AB 729 (Mullin) Requires the Integrated Waste Management Board adopt regulations for the proper and legal donation of covered electronic devices intended for reuse by a nonprofit organization. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Discharge Notice of Hazardous Substance, Sewage, or Other Waste AB 800 (Lieu) Requires a party responsible for a discharge to contact all of the designated agencies within 2 hours of having knowledge of a discharge, rather than the just the responding agency in current law. This bill puts a sewage spill in the same class as a hazardous substance release. In addition, it would also increase penalties significantly from a maximum of not more than $1,000 to $20,000 for failing to notify all of these agencies. The bill was significantly amended and is no longer a concern to CMTA. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Polystyrene - State Facilities AB 820 (Karnette) Prohibits a state facility from selling, possessing or distributing an expanded polystyrene food container as of January 1, 2009. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| California Toxic Release Inventory Program AB 833 (Ruskin) More bill infoIn December 2006, US EPA increased the reporting threshold for certain chemicals to reduce the workload on some small generators. This bill would require that the missing information be provided to the State. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| Commercial Green Building Standards AB 888 (Lieu) Requires Cal/EPA to develop green building standards for commercial buildings. It establishes the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED gold rating standard as a minimum for new construction and major renovation in CA. By exclusively endorsing the LEED rating system, it discriminates against other rigorous and comprehensive green building programs and rating systems such as Green Globes. While the Building Standards Commission would be authorized to review and comment on the standards, Cal/EPA would be the lead agency with the authority to adopt the final set of building standards. AB 888 would increase costs of commercial construction conservatively by 10% and it would discriminate against certain materials, such as wood, without looking at the life cycle of the products. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Food Containers – Plastic Packaging Ban AB 904 (Feuer) As of July 1, 2012, eliminates public food service providers from using anything but paper and aluminum for distributing disposable food (unless recycling rates increase significantly in the interim). Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Environmental Quality | |
| California Regional Water Quality Control Board Membership SB 1001 (Perata) More bill infoReduces and changes the membership from 5 to 9 of the regional water quality control boards in a manner which would make these boards less accountable to the public and less able to properly balance the range of factors under their responsibility. In addition, CMTA believes this bill would also make it more difficult to recruit and appoint qualified members, impeding their ability to meet quorum requirements to conduct business. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Ambient Air Quality Standards SB 1028 (Padilla) Sponsored by the South Coast Air District, this bill imposes unnecessary mandates on ARB. It requires ARB to adopt and enforce every feasible rule and regulation authorized under Section 43013, which applies to all mobile sources including cars, trucks, construction and farm equipment, utility engines, locomotives and marine vessels. ARB would also be mandated to adopt any “cost effective” measure, and to require technology forcing regulations if the technology is “available”. However, “cost effective” and “available” leave out many other considerations that are critical, such as whether the regulation is technologically feasible, proven, effective, safe, available, or if it works on the emission source that is the target of the regulation. Amended to satisfy CMTA’s concerns. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Neutral | Signed by Gov. | |
| Cleanup of Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks SB 1161 (Lowenthal) Extends the sunset date for the program from 2011 to 2016. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Senate Floor | |
| Environmental Impact Reports SB 1165 (Kuehl) Requires that all communications during the negotiation process with an agency be in writing. It also requires that the EIR be reapproved every 5 years. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| State Regional Water Quality Control Boards SB 1176 (Perata) Alters the boards’ membership, qualifications and pay, and places new requirements on the boards’ actions. This bill is very similar to SB 1101 (Perata) which was vetoed by the Governor last year. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Adulterated Cosmetics – Lead in Lipstick SB 1712 (Migden) Considers lead in lipstick as an adulterated cosmetic and requires any person who manufacturers, packages, or sells lipstick to report this fact to the Department of Public Health by Jan. 1., 2009 with evidence that their product is lead free. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Children’s Products – Bisphenol and Lead SB 1713 (Migden) Requires manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative when replacing phthalates in their products. It would prohibit manufacturers from replacing phthalates with specific carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. It would also revise the definition of a child care article to include any product designed or intended by a manufacturer for use either on or by children and would apply the prohibition and least toxic alternative requirements to certain toys and child care articles that contain Bisphenol A or lead in detectable levels. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Health | |
| Pet Food Labels SB 1773 (Corbett) Requires that all pet food manufacturers include on their label a telephone number to contact their customer service department and the country of origin of each of the ingredients in the product. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Hazardous Materials – Business Plan SB 329 (Dutton) Allows businesses to submit a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan in lieu of a Business Plan. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Failed passage | |
| Regional Planning SB 375 (Steinberg) Makes numerous changes with respect to regional transportation and land use planning. Requires the regional transportation plan for specified regions to include a sustainable communities strategy designed to achieve certain goals for the reduction of GHG emissions from automobiles and light trucks. Negotiations have been ongoing. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose Unless Amended | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Air Resources Board – Formaldehyde SB 509 (Simitian) Requires manufacturers and distributors to list on a website by substance every consumer product that they produce down to .1%. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Business and Professions | |
| Port Congestion/Environment – Container Tax SB 974 (Lowenthal) Places a $60 per container tax on containers transported in or out of the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland. This is a tax, not a fee, and would be in violation of international trade agreements and interstate commerce laws. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Floor | |
| Land Use – Santa Susanna Field Laboratory SB 990 (Kuehl) More bill infoProhibits the sale, lease, sublease or other transfer of any land presently or formerly occupied by the Santa Susanna Field Laboratory unless the Director of Toxic Substances Control certifies that the land has undergone complete remediation of chemical and radioactive contamination. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CMTA lobbyist: Dorothy Rothrock, (916) 498.3319 | Position | Status | |
| Product Safety – Perfluorchemicals SB 1313 (Corbett) Prohibits the manufacture, sale or distribution of food products containing perfluorooctane sulfonate acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and higher homologue or precursors to these chemicals in concentrations exceeding 0.1%. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Floor | |
| LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT CMTA lobbyist: Cynthia Leon, (916) 498.3322 | Position | Status | |
| Meal and Rest Periods AB 1711 (Levine) Makes several changes to Labor Code Sec 512 pertaining to meal and rest periods. Although it clarifies the statue and expands the definition of “on duty agreements”, it does not go far enough to cover all business in California (union and non union). Its primary objective is to exempt collective bargaining agreements from the statue. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations | |
| Hiring Practices AB 2076 (Fuentes) This is a spot bill with intent to require employers to enroll in the federal E-Verify program, receive training materials and comply with applicable state and federal antidiscrimination laws. Assemblywoman Walters is carrying a similar bill, AB 2102. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Floor | |
| Alternative Workweek Schedules – Small Business Option AB 2127 (Benoit) Authorizes an employee whose employer has less than 25 employees to request a work schedule of up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek and authorizes an employer to implement this schedule without any obligation to pay overtime compensation for hours worked as part of the schedule. The employee would be required to request the specific schedule desired in writing and if the employer agrees to that schedule, the employer and the employee would be required to execute a written agreement memorializing that schedule. Either the employee or employer could terminate the agreement with a 7-day written notice. The employer would be required to maintain the agreement as a record for 3 years after the termination of the agreement. Failed passage, reconsideration granted. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment | |
| Paid Sick Leave AB 2716 (Ma) Provides that an employee who works in California for 7 or more days in a calendar year is entitled to paid sick time, to be accrued at a rate of no less than one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. An employee would be entitled to use accrued sick time beginning on the 90th calendar day of employment. The bill would require employers to provide paid sick time, upon the request of the employee, for diagnosis, care, or treatment of health conditions of the employee or an employee's family member, or for leave related to domestic violence or sexual assault. An employer would be prohibited from discriminating or retaliating against an employee who requests paid sick time. Passed Assembly Labor Committee. Double-referred to Assembly Judiciary. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Appropriations | |
| Lockouts AB 504 (Swanson) More bill infoRequires employers that are convicted of fraud, misrepresentation, or misconduct related to a lockout to make restitution to employees for lost wages and benefits. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Family and Medical Leave AB 537 (Swanson) More bill infoAmends the California Family Rights Act to expand the definition of family members with a serious medical condition to whom a covered employee may take unpaid leave to attend. Also increases the circumstances under which an employer is responsible for providing protected leave pursuant to the Act by eliminating the age and dependency elements from the definition of “child” and changes the definition of “parent.” Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Health Care Coverage AB 8 (Nunez) Comprehensive reform package proposed by Democratic leadership. Among other things it increases funding to state safety net programs such as Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. It also creates the California Cooperative Health Insurance Purchasing Program (Cal-CHIPP), which would function as a statewide purchasing pool for health care coverage by employers and be administered by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, (MRMIB). The bill proposes that these expansions be funded by requiring all employers to spend 7.5% of their payroll toward employee health care benefits or pay the difference into a state fund. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Healthcare Reform ABx1 1 (Nunez) Comprehensive Healthcare reform package that attempts to increase access to health care coverage to the uninsured. It includes an individual mandate that would require all working Californians and dependents to have health insurance. Certain individuals that cannot afford to purchase health insurance will be eligible for state-subsidized coverage. Therefore this bill also expands programs such as Healthy Families and Medi-Cal to increase access. It also establishes the Healthy Action Incentives and Rewards Program, the California Diabetes Service Program, the California Smokers’ Helpline and the Community Makeover Grant program. Although the finance piece of this proposal is outline in an initiative, ABx1 1 has intent language that indicates that employers will be required to spend on health care for their employees a rate ranging from 1 to 6.5 percent of total payroll based on social security wages OR pay an equivalent amount to the California Health Trust Fund. Another revenue source would be a tobacco tax and a 4% fee on hospitals. In addition, ABx1 1 has insurance market reforms that include guaranteed coverage in the individual market and a mandate that 85% of healthcare premiums be spent on patient care. Failed Passage from Senate Health Committee. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| Retaliation SB 1244 (Alquist) Prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee or applicant for employment because a coworker or immediate family member has filed a claim with or instituted a proceeding before the Labor Commissioner. Passed Senate Labor Committee. Double-referred to Senate Judiciary. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Wages – Discharged Employee SB 1283 (Harman) Permits an employer, if the employer's accounting unit responsible for the drawing of payroll checks is not regularly scheduled to be operational at the time the employee is discharged, to make wages available to the employee no later than 6 hours after the start of the unit's next regular workday, or if the accounting unit is located off the work site, to deliver the wages no later than 24 hours after the start of the unit's next regular workday. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Recommended Support | Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations | |
| Misclassification of Independent Contractors SB 1490 (Padilla) Spot bill to address intentional misclassification of employees as independent contractors. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Committee on Appropriations | |
| Meal Periods SB 1539 (Calderon) CMTA Sponsored - The bill has been made into an intent bill to continue discussions. The intent language will state “It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to address issues related to meal periods in employment.” The business community continues to want to clarify the employer’s duty to “provide the employee with” a meal period as giving the employee an opportunity to take the meal period. It would define the appropriate situations in which an employee and employer may enter into an on-duty meal period agreement. It would also allow meal period provisions of collective bargaining agreements to supersede the statute. This bill, sponsored by CMTA and others in an employers’ coalition, is a comprehensive solution to “Meal Period” issues. Passed Senate Labor, pending referral. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations | |
| Private employment – Meal Periods SB 529 (Migden) Exempts from the meal period requirements employees of an electrical corporation or a local publicly owned electric utility who are covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement that contains specified terms. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Committee on Health | |
| Employee’s Right to Bereavement SB 549 (Corbett) More bill infoAdds up to four days of unpaid bereavement leave to current laws that provide employees with the right to take time off from work without fear of being sanctioned by their employer. Bereavement leave may be taken for the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or registered domestic partner. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Family Leave – Grandparents, Siblings and Grandchildren SB 727 (Kuehl) More bill infoExpands the scope of the family temporary disability insurance program to include grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, and siblings within the definition of "family member," and makes conforming and clarifying changes in provisions relating to family temporary disability compensation. This bill also clarifies that an individual, who is entitled to a leave under the FMLA and the CFRA, must take the FTDI leave concurrent with the leave taken under the FMLA and CFRA if it qualifies under those acts. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| Fair Employment – Familial Status SB 836 (Kuehl) More bill infoAdds “familial status” to the list of protected classes from employment discrimination within the Fair Employment and Housing Act. It defines “caring for or supporting” as anyone who is providing supervision, transportation, psychological or emotional comfort, attending to an illness, injury, or mental disability, addressing medical, educational, nutritional, hygienic, or safety needs. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| TAX CMTA lobbyist: Greg Hines, (916) 498.3318 | Position | Status | |
| Tobacco Tax Increase SB 24 (Torlakson) Raises the cigarette tax by 95 cents per cigarette. 2-Year Bill. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Failed passage | |
| WORKERS' COMPENSATION CMTA lobbyist: Cynthia Leon, (916) 498.3322 | Position | Status | |
| Medical Treatment Schedule AB 1073 (Nava) Existing law entitles each employee to no more than 24 chiropractic, 24 occupational therapy, and 24 physical therapy visits per industrial injury. This bill would prohibit the limit on the number of chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical therapy visits from applying to visits for post surgical physical medicine and rehabilitative services. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Signed by Gov. | |
| Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher AB 1636 (Mendoza) More bill infoDrastically changes current law regarding the provision of the supplemental job displacement voucher in SB 899 (the workers’ comp. reform bill, Chapter 34, Statutes of 2004). The revised statute would require the employer to provide the voucher to the injured worker no later than 74 days after the termination of temporary disability regardless of whether that employee has been deemed permanent and stationary. The bill also requires the employer to provide the voucher based upon an estimated level of disability and carries no provision to allow the employer to be reimbursed if the voucher benefit was more than ultimately allowed. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose position letter | Vetoed by Gov. | |
| State Compensation Insurance Fund AB 1874 (Coto) Changes composition of the State Compensation Insurance Fund’s board of directors to 9 members, 7 appointed by the Governor, 2 from organized labor (1 appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, the other by the Senate Committee on Rules. Also provides that a majority of board members, other than the ex officio members, shall have been policyholders or the employees or members of a policyholder in the fund for one year immediately preceding the appointment, and must continue in this status during the period of membership. The lack of a majority of members who are policyholders or the employees or members of a policyholder in the fund does not prevent the board of directors of the fund from meeting and conducting business so long as a quorum is present. This bill contains other related provisions and is similar to Machado’s SB 1145. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Assembly Floor | |
| Workers' Compensation AB 2081 (Coto) Prohibits an officer or director holding less than 10% of the shares of the corporation from excluding himself or herself from workers' compensation coverage required to be provided to other employees of the corporation, and from being subject to the specified election requirement. The bill would provide that, if an officer or director holds more than 10% of the shares of the corporation, the employer shall have the burden of proof of demonstrating that an exclusion of that officer or director from workers' compensation coverage is appropriate. The bill would also prohibit compensation of a person retained by an employer or insurer claims adjuster or a person retained by an employer or insurer to review or evaluate medical billings from being based on the number of billings, or the cost of services in a billing, that the person has caused or recommended to be denied or limited. This bill would additionally entitle an injured worker to increased compensation when the unreasonable delay in the payment of compensation results from a violation of those requirements imposed by the bill that would make it unlawful for a claims adjuster or person or entity providing medical review services to receive compensation or inducement for a referred evaluation or consultation. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Floor | |
| Reimbursement for Pharmacy Services AB 2091 (Fuentes) This is a spot bill to authorize the administrative director to periodically revise and adjust the reimbursement rates for drug and pharmacy services provided to injured workers pursuant to workers' compensation claims. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Floor | |
| Insurance – Loss Ratios AB 2692 (Hernandez) Prohibits excessive rates and requires that the insurance company refund the employer the difference. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Insurance | |
| Medical Treatment Utilization Reviews AB 2969 (Lieber) Requires that any licensed physician conducting a utilization review be licensed in California, prohibiting the use of out of state physicians for UR review. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Floor | |
| Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits AB 2987 (Benoit) Provides for the payment of supplemental job displacement benefits to any injured worker if the injury causes permanent partial disability and the injured employee does not return to work for the employer within 60 days of the disability becoming permanent and stationary. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support | Assembly Floor | |
| Temporary Disability AB 338 (Coto) More bill infoIncreases to 5 years the period of time during which an employee can receive aggregate temporary disability payments. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Support position letter | Signed by Gov. | |
| 24-Hour Occupational Medical Care Pilot AB 550 (Ma) Requires the administrative director to adopt regulations containing specified requirements and criteria for participation in, and administration of, a pilot program. It establishes the Integrated 24-Hour Occupational Medical Care Pilot Project for the purpose of demonstrating and evaluating the effectiveness of providing medical treatment for occupational injuries through the same medical care delivery system that delivers treatment and services for non-occupational injuries and illnesses. Similar to SB 723 (Yee). Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Watch | Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations | |
| Permanent Disability Reports – Apportionment SB 1115 (Migden) Neither race, religious creed, color, national origin, age, gender, marital status, sex, or genetic predisposition will be considered to be a cause or other factor considered when determining permanent disability percentage. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Assembly Committee on Insurance | |
| Cancer Presumption for Contractor-Operated Fire Departments SB 1271 (Runner) Extends the cancer presumption to specific contractor-operated fire departments in the Senator Runner’s district. This would be the first expansion of presumption outside of the public sector. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | Oppose | Senate Floor | |
| Pre-Designation of Physician SB 1338 (Migden) Deletes the December 31, 2009, repeal date for the provisions pertaining to an employee's pre-designation of a personal physician. Bill text at www.leginfo.ca.gov | |||