The California Chamber of Commerce has removed the job killer designation on several bills due to amendments since the start of the new year that changed the focus of the legislation.
The CalChamber now has no position on the following former job killer bills:
• AB 1645 (Muratsuchi; D-Torrance) Gas Price Increase—Now Study Bill. Before amendments, jeopardized the production of California-based fuel by banning the use of hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid at refineries that use more than 250 gallons and are located within two miles of a residence, notwithstanding the fact that there are significant safety regulations in place at the local, state and federal levels. Opposition and job killer status removed due to January 3 amendments. Now requires a study of hydrogen fluoride and modified hydrogen fluoride at specified refineries.
• AB 479 (Gonzalez Fletcher; D-San Diego) Targeted Tax on Alcohol—Now Workers’ Compensation Bill. Before amendments, unfairly imposed an additional targeted excise tax on manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers of distilled spirits and a floor tax, that would have increased their costs and forced them to reduce in other areas, including labor. Opposition and job killer status removed due to January 3 amendments. The bill now deals with workers’ compensation permanent disability apportionment for breast cancer.
• AB 1576 (Levine; D-San Rafael) Gender Pricing Mandate—Now About modeling. Before amendments unfairly exposed companies to costly, frivolous litigation with an automatic $4,000 in statutory damages for alleged gender pricing discrimination based upon different consumer prices for female versus male products that businesses will be forced to settle to avoid costs or spend significant legal fees demonstrating those differences are based upon objective, non-gender related specific factors. Gutted and amended to a different subject area (modeling agencies) on January 8. Opposition and job killer status removed.
