California Voting Record on Small Business Issues
NFIB tracks the key legislative issues identified by our small business members every session and then we tabulate a score for each California lawmaker in the state House and state Senate. The NFIB voting record provides a critically important evaluation of a legislator's attitude toward small business based on floor votes. You won't find a more effective way to gauge the performance of politicians than examining their voting record.
While most elected officials claim to support small businesses, the NFIB voting record gives business owners and other citizens a picture of what your state representatives and state senators are up to in Sacramento. Please thank those legislators who supported small business and continue to work with those who have fallen short.
Top Votes from the 2012 Session
1. Pension Reform (AB 340)
Establishes the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), which makes major revisions to the public retirement systems’ laws and will apply to all public employees and public pension plans on and after January 1, 2013. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 38-1. Passed the Assembly 66-9. Signed by Governor Brown.
2. Overtime for Agricultural Workers (AB 1313)
This measure would have eliminated a long-standing exemption for farmers by requiring overtime pay for agricultural workers after eight hours of work. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 22-15. Failed in the Assembly 35-33.
3. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Investment Plan and Communities Revitalization Act (AB 1532)
Directs spending of regulatory fee revenues derived from the auction of greenhouse gas (GHG) allowances pursuant to the cap and trade program adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 21-15. Passed the Assembly 51-28. Signed by Governor Brown.
4. Public Contracts: small business preferences (AB 1783)
Streamlines government contracting by providing that the Department of General Services has the sole responsibility for certifying and determining eligibility of small businesses, and provides local agencies’ access to the department’s list of certified small businesses. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 36-0. Passed Assembly 72-0. Signed by Governor Brown.
5. Agricultural Employee Safety: heat-related illness (AB 2346)
This bill prescribes specified duties for employers to reduce the risk of heat illness among agricultural employees, and imposes civil penalties, and creates a private right of action, for violations of these requirements. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 21-12. Passed Assembly 42-33. Vetoed by Governor Brown.
6. California Communities Healthy Air and Revitalization Act (SB 535)
Requires revenues collected from the cap and trade program adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB) under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) to be invested in disadvantaged communities. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 25-14. Passed Assembly 42-29. Signed by Governor Brown.
7. Ban on Polystyrene Food Containers (SB 568)
This bill would have banned the use of Styrofoam in the food service industry, replacing it with much more costly paper, and unrecyclable, products. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 21-15. Failed in the Assembly 26-45.
8. Workers’ Compensation Reform (SB 863)
Reforms the workers’ compensation system in CA. Reforms include, among many others, an expedited disability rating review process, eliminating disability “add-ons” like sleep disorders, depression, etc.; fee schedules for services like interpreters and document copying; and setting a statute of limitation on the lien process. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 34-4. Passed the Assembly 72-5. Signed by Governor Brown.
9. Regulations: quarterly implementation (SB 1099)
NFIB sponsored bill that establishes quarterly dates for the implementation of new regulations, which will be posted online at the Office of Administrative Law’s website so that businesses can prepare for new operating rules and costs. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 32-0. Passed Assembly 79-0. Signed by Governor Brown.
10. Mattress Disposal (SB 1118)
Requires mattress retailers and manufacturers to arrange for pickup of a used mattress from a consumer purchasing a new mattress at no cost to the consumer. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Assembly 48-31. Failed in the Senate 17-19.
11. Americans with Disabilities Act Tort Reform (SB 1186)
Prohibits “demand for money” letters. Intent to sue letters must be sent 30 days prior to filing, and must include specific violations and dates. Reduces fines for small businesses with timeframes to correct problems. Prevents multiple claims by a litigant for the same problem. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 34-3. Passed Assembly 77-0. Signed by Governor Brown.
12. Business One-Stop Permitting Website (SB 1327)
Establishes a one-stop Internet website to assist individuals with the licensing, permitting, and registration requirements necessary to start a business. A “Yes” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed Senate 36-0. Passed Assembly 73-5. Signed by Governor Brown.
13. Medical Services: increased damages (SB 1528)
Requires plaintiffs to be awarded the “reasonable value” of medical services rather than the actual amount paid. Undoes a Supreme Court decision that plaintiffs are only eligible for the actual costs of medical treatment. Increases the damages awarded. A “No” vote supports the NFIB position. Passed the Senate 22-13. Failed in the Assembly 13-43.
You can also see how your elected officials voted in Washington, DC.
