For the legislative and political week February 28-March 4
Welcome to the February 28-March 4 edition of the NFIB California Main Street Minute from your NFIB small-business-advocacy team in Sacramento.
Reminder: New Supplemental COVID Paid Sick Leave Law Now in Effect
- From a news release issued by the state’s Labor Commissioner. “The Labor Commissioner has published a required workplace poster and FAQs on 2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave. The new law goes into effect on February 19 for employers with 26 or more employees.
- “On February 9, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 114 which requires employers with 26 or more employees to provide Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for specific COVID-19 related reasons. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2022 and will remain in effect until September 30, 2022. Qualifying employers are required to provide up to 80 hours of COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick leave, with 40 of those hours available only when the employee or their family member tests positive for COVID-19. COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave is in addition to regular paid sick leave.”
NFIB Podcast on New COVID Supplemental Paid Leave Law
- In the latest NFIB California podcast, labor and employment expert Ben Ebbink discusses some of the details small-business owners need to be aware of.
- “Now there are two different, 40-hour buckets. The first bucket is essentially the same as the last time. It’s up to 40 hours for the same COVID-qualifying reasons as the last time. Then, there’s a second bucket up to an additional 40 hours in a situation where an employee tests positive for COVID or they’re caring for a family member who tests positive for COVID.”
- Click here to listen to this information-packed podcast.
Bill Deadline Leaves 2,020 in its Wake
- Now that the deadline for introducing new bills in the 2022 session of the California State Legislature has passed (February 18), in its wake, a total of 2,020 were offered for consideration this year. A month must elapse before any can be considered by an Assembly or Senate committee.
- After a thorough review and quite possibly missing a few, Kevin Pedrotti, NFIB California’s chief legislative advocate, has pored over all of them and whittled down to 153 the number of bills with some small-business impact. Click here to scan all 153.
- Once NFIB decides which ones will receive the highest priority, coalitions will be formed for their passage or defeat, testimony will be provided, letters written, and NFIB members sent Action Alerts.
Don’t Forget to Join us on Small Business Day
- Let your voice be heard! NFIB California’s annual Small Business Day is March 8. It will be a virtual event from 11 a.m. to Noon. It’s free and you’re invited to bring a guest. A reservation is required. Click here to register and for more information about the event, including three top legislators who will be guests.
NFIB California in the News
- Northern California Record, February 22—NFIB quoted on the state’s consideration of mask mandates and vaccination requirements.
- Capitol Weekly, February 21—State Director John Kabateck penned a guest editorial warning of the consequences of Assembly Bill 257, which seeks to eliminate the fast-food franchise model in the state.
Nationally,
Highlights from NFIB Legislative Program Manager Caitlin Lanzara’s weekly report
- While NFIB expects the month of March to focus on the Supreme Court nomination and international issues, the Build Back Better Act-related provisions will continue to be negotiated. NFIB will continue to fight tax hikes and inflexible mandates with the NFIB Small Business Survival campaign. Learn more at NFIB.com/SmallBizSurvival. Take Action here.
- Next week, March 1, is the State of the Union.
- On February 24th, NFIB hosted a webinar titled, “The Power of ASK – how to ask for and get what you want with Kathryn Rose, CEO of wiseHer.” Watch it here.
Next Main Street Minute March 7.
