On September 10, the first year of California’s two-year legislative session ended with over 800 bills being sent to the Governor where they will either be enacted into law or vetoed. Notably, several past failed policy proposals made it through the process this year and are awaiting Governor Newsom’s action.
SB 9 proposes to streamline more infill housing while providing substantial local control to land use development by allowing property owners to divide their properties and build up to two residential units on each lot so long as the units are consistent with all local land use laws. A similar proposal was tried last year but stalled at the end of session due to rumored “house wars” between the Senate and Assembly. CalChamber supports this proposal.
SB 10 addresses the need for more housing by providing local cities and counties with full authority to streamline rezoning in their jurisdiction for up to 10 additional middle income density housing units per parcel, if they choose. A similar proposal was also introduced last year, but also stalled along the way. CalChamber also supports this bill.
AB 701 impacts warehouse worker productivity quotas and will make employers’ ability to enforce production standards even more complex. The bill will likely open the door to PAGA litigation since each new section of the Labor Code creates a separate cause of action. A similar proposal failed passage in the Senate last year. Despite significant amendments made to the bill through the process, CalChamber opposes.
SB 62 significantly increases the burden on nonunionized employers in the garment manufacturing industry in California, by eliminating piece rate as a method of payment even though it can benefit the employee. The bill also expands joint and several liability for any wage violations to the entire supply chain and shifts the evidentiary standards in a Labor Commissioner hearing to limit the ability for an employer to defend against an alleged wage violation. Last year a similar bill made it to the Assembly floor but was never brought up for a vote. This bill is one of the only two Job Killers that made it through the process.
The Governor has until October 10th to veto or sign these bills as well as the other approximate 800 that were sent to him by the Legislature.