Last Friday was the first milestone in what is expected to be an active legislative session—the deadline for legislators to introduce bills to be considered this year.
Overall, the number of proposals introduced is comparable to the first year of the 2013–14 legislative session.
• This year, 2,408 bills have been introduced—1,569 in the Assembly and 839 in the Senate.
• In 2013, there were 2,540 bills introduced as of the deadline—1,585 in the Assembly and 955 in the Senate.
The California Chamber of Commerce actively followed 85% of the bills introduced in 2013, and is projecting an equally busy time this year.
As is typical, many of the bills introduced so far are “spot bills”—placeholders for proposals still being written or to be developed in negotiations among interested stakeholders.
Based on news conferences and other public statements, action can be expected this year on bills that would increase labor costs, increase taxes, reduce Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits, increase electricity and gas prices, and expand business tax credits.
The next deadline is March 16, the day by which spot bills must be amended in order to be eligible for consideration this year.
As the specifics of legislative proposals are laid out, the CalChamber will present updates so members and readers can know what to expect and have the chance to comment on issues of greatest concern to them.
To receive updates on hot legislative issues when action is needed, sign up for CalChamber’s Inside the Capitol e-newsletter at www.calchamber.com/newsletters.
