Legislative Update Masthead

October 19, 2009

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the following CIGA SUPPORTED bills into law

AB 59 (Jeffries-R-Riverside)
This bill amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.  This measure provides that, if a military ID card lacks a physical description, but includes a date of birth and a photo, further proof of majority shall not be required.
AB 1085 (Mendoza-D- Artesia)
Requires the State Air Resources Board to make available to the public each technical, theoretical, and empirical study, report, or similar document on which the agency relies before the comment period for any regulation proposed for adoption by the board. 
SB 209 (Corbett-D-San Leandro)
CIGA testified in committees for this bill which amends existing law with respect to an action involving a construction-related ADA accessibility claim.  The bill requires a Certified Access Specialist inspection report to remain confidential and allows disclosure only to the parties to the action, their attorneys, and others involved in the evaluation and settlement of the case unless there is a showing of good cause by any party.
AB 1191 (Conway-R-Visalia)
This bill amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. CIGA testified in SUPPORT of this bill through its many committee hearings as it will permit retailers to accept a valid passport, issued by the United States Government or a foreign government, as bona fide evidence that a person is 21 years of age or older.
Governor Arnold Shwarzenegger VETOED the following CIGA OPPOSED Bills

AB 793 (Jones-D-Sacramento)
The bill would have virtually done away with the "statute of limitations" with respect to employee wage claims.
AB 943 (Mendoza-D-Artesia)
This bill prohibits an employer, with very narrow exceptions, from obtaining a consumer credit report for employment purposes.  While a person's credit history by itself is not predictive of potential theft, access to credit information can reveal patterns that may present an unreasonable risk to business in the form of employee theft. 
SB 173 (Florez-D-Shafter)
Authorizes the State Public Health Officer to adopt regulations regarding the voluntary recall of food that, without intervention, could transmit an illness that could kill or seriously affect the health of humans.
SB 242 (Yee-D-San Francisco)
Would have made it a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act to adopt or enforce a policy that requires, limits or prohibits the use of any language in or with a business establishment.
John Handley, Director of Government Relations
California Independent Grocers Association