Two runs at the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund and another attempt to institute an affordable universal heal-care scheme beat back
By the August 31 end of the 2023-2024 session of the California State Legislature, 5,553 bills had been introduced, according to the Legislature’s website. From that number, NFIB pared down to 109 the proposals most impactful to small businesses. The following list highlights the victories NFIB, working with its business coalition partners, was able to help pass or stop.
This list will be updated after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s September 30 deadline to sign or veto bills passes.
Defeated Higher Unemployment Insurance Taxes—Twice
Senate Bill 799 would have allowed workers already with jobs to tap into the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund should they choose to go out on strike for a brief time. The fund, which is meant only for workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and which is more than $20 billion in arrears to the federal government, is financed entirely by taxes paid by employers. Passed in 2023, SB 799 was eventually vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, but that did not stop union supporters from bringing it back in 2024 in the form of Senate Bill 1116, which passed the Senate but died in the Assembly.
Stopped a Second Attempt to Impose an Unaffordable Health Care Scheme
Despite 94% of Californians already having some form of health care, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Assembly Bill 1400 from the 2021-2022 legislative session would have abolished private health insurance and seized control of every aspect of health coverage – even federal programs – and put it under the total control of the state at a cost of between $494 billion to $552 billion a year, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. (By comparison, the entire state budget is just under $300 billion a year.) AB 1400’s 2022 defeat (it never passed the Assembly) did not stop its progressive backers from giving it a second try in 2024 with Assembly Bill 2200, which took a less aggressive approach toward the same goal by first establishing a California Guaranteed Health Care for All (CalCare) program.
Won Big Reforms of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)
NFIB and other business groups have spent 20 years fighting one of the worst laws in state history, the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). What started out as an attempt to speed up the process employees could get their complaints against employers heard and resolved quickly instead turned into cash cow for lawyers that left little money for the workers. In exchange for removing a ballot initiative that would have expedited badly needed changes, the business coalition instead agree to support Assembly Bill 2288 that limits employer liability and provides a ‘cure period’ for certain violations.
Secured Stronger Laws Against Retail Theft
NFIB successfully pushed for passage of Assembly Bill 1779 no longer limiting jurisdictional rules for criminal actions brought by the Attorney General; Assembly Bill 1972 requiring regional crimes task forces to assist more in combatting retail theft; Assembly Bill 2943 expanding grand theft acts to include multiple victims; Assembly Bill 3209 giving courts greater use of criminal protective orders.
Obtained Law Easing Paperwork Compliance
Assembly Bill 1355 allows employers to supply employees with electronic statements or materials relating to claims for benefits if the worker opts into receipt of electronic statements or materials.
