Four Job Creators Signed Into Law
Proposals Aim to Improve Job Climate,
Help California’s Economic Recovery
ENCOURAGES INVESTMENTS
AB 222 (Adams; R-Hesperia) Green Energy — Before amendments, would have encouraged new investment and job creation by allowing conversion of solid waste to energy at a biorefinery to count toward meeting the state's renewable energy goals. As first amended was a Solid Waste Definitions bill that provided little to no benefit to the state's environmental and energy goals. Amended again to deal with child care. Former Job Creator (Bill Amended 8/31/10 to Deal with Child Care)
AB 697 (C. Calderon; D-Montebello) Removes Onerous Tax Burden — Relieves employers of a onerous, costly tax burden by prospectively repealing an unfair, strict liability tax penalty that applies even to reasonable tax disputes, that was enacted as part of the September 2008 budget. (Bill Last Amended 6/1/09) Assembly Revenue and Taxation Suspense File
SBX6 6 (Hollingsworth; R-Murrieta) Removes Onerous Tax Burden – Relieves employers of an onerous, costly tax burden by prospectively repealing an unfair, strict liability tax penalty that applies even to reasonable tax disputes, that was enacted as part of the September 2008 budget. (Bill Introduced 2/24/10) Failed passage in Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
INCREASED CONSTRUCTION JOBS
AB 1805 (C. Calderon; D-Montebello/Nestande R-Palm Desert) Increases Construction Jobs — Facilitates job creation by giving a limited number of environmentally sound development projects protection from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuits.This benefit will allow projects that have met their CEQA requirements to break ground sooner, which will create badly needed jobs and spur economic growth. (Bill Introduced 2/10/10) Died in Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
AB 1846 (M. Perez; D-Coachella) Expedited Environmental Review — Streamlines the CEQA approval process for certain projects by allowing industries subject to compliance with greenhouse gas regulations under AB 32 to go through an expedited environmental review through a focused environmental impact report. Signed by Governor, August 27. Chapter 195.
AB 2098 (Miller; R-Corona) Increases Construction Jobs — Authorizes Riverside County Transportation Commission to use design-build to construct a portion of State Highway 91, thus putting more jobs on the ground more quickly. (Bill Last Amended 8/20/10) Signed by Governor, September 24. Chapter 250.
AB 2313 (Buchanan; D-Alamo) Increases Construction Jobs — Before amendments, would have helped provide certainty and avoid unnecessary litigation by establishing a uniform, statewide threshold of significance for greenhouse gas emissions to be used in environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act. Now just intent language. (No Longer Job Creator as Amended 4/26/10) Former Job Creator
ABX8 37 (C. Calderon; D-Montebello) Increased Construction Jobs — Facilitates job creation by giving a limited number of environmentally sound development projects protection from CEQA lawsuits. This benefit will allow projects that have met their CEQA requirements to break ground sooner which will create badly needed jobs and spur economic growth. Dead upon adjournment of Eighth Extraordinary Session 3/15/10.
SB 388 (R. Calderon; D-Montebello) Supports Construction of Vital Projects — Encourages job growth and support for renewable energy integration by authorizing priority reserve emission reduction credits vital for the construction of a power plant within the South Coast Air Basin. (Bill Last Amended 9/12/09) Died in Senate Rules Committee.
SB 1010 (Correa; D-Santa Ana/Cogdill; R-Fresno) Increases Construction Jobs — Facilitates job creation by giving a limited number of environmentally sound development projects protection from CEQA lawsuits. This benefit will allow projects that have met their CEQA requirements to break ground sooner, which will create badly needed jobs and spur economic growth. (Introduced 2/10/10) Failed passage in Senate Environmental Quality Committee.
SB 1192 (Oropeza; D-Long Beach) Increases Construction Jobs — Creates construction jobs building travel infrastructure and creates a better travel environment for state business and tourism. (Bill Last Amended 8/30/10) Signed by Governor. Chapter 642.
SBX8 34 (Padilla; D-Pacoima) Supports Construction of Vital Projects — Ensures the expedited permitting of environmentally sound solar thermal projects, enabling them to qualify for grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Signed by Governor, March 22. Chapter 9 (urgency).
SBX8 42 (Correa; D-Santa Ana) Increases Construction Jobs — Facilitates job creation by giving a limited number of environmentally sound development projects protection from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuits. This benefit will allow projects that have met their CEQA requirements to break ground sooner which will create badly needed jobs and spur economic growth. Dead upon adjournment of Eighth Extraordinary Session 3/15/10.
SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH
AB 1771 (Mendoza; D-Artesia) Expanding Small Business Opportunity — Helps promote fairness in state purchasing, provide assistance to small businesses and save the state money by allowing state departments to award contracts of less than $25,000 for goods or services by certified microbusinesses, small businesses or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs) without seeking an exemption of the Prison Industry Authority (PIA) mandate if they are able to make the product for less than the PIA. (Bill Last Amended 4/26/10) Died on Assembly Appropriations Suspense File.
WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENTS/TRAINING
AB 1804 (Hagman; R-Chino Hills) Employment Training — Helps California stay competitive by ensuring that employer-generated funds for the Employment Training Program funds are not diverted by the state to other programs and remain available to train employees for businesses that are locating or expanding in California, as well as those that are retraining employees to make California operations more viable. (Bill Last Amended 4/28/10) Died on Assembly Appropriations Suspense File.
SB 1335 (Cox; R-Fair Oaks) Flexible Work Schedules — Provides a simplified, voluntary way for establishing flexible work schedules, creating a win-win-win for employees, employers and the environment by promoting better work-life balance, improved workplace productivity and retention, and reduced traffic and greenhouse gases. (Bill Last Amended 4/6/10) Failed passage in Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.