California Legislative Deadline May 31 to Pass Measures Out of Each House

California legislative committee hearings have been in full swing since March. The legislative deadline to pass measures out of each house is May 31. CLFP is tracking some 200 bills as they move their way through the process and has taken a position on nearly 50 bills impacting the food processing industry. There are several priority issues that CLFP is actively engaged in or closely monitoring, including:

• Safe Drinking Water Fund - Several bills have been introduced to establish a Safe Drinking Water Fund.  Various funding mechanisms are being discussed, including a water user fee.
CLFP Position: Monitoring

• Independent Contractors - Legislation related to the ability of workers to work independently based on a recent California Supreme Court decision that severely limits the classification of independent contractors.  CLFP is working with a large employer coalition seeking amendments to exclude certain industries, including independent trucking.
CLFP Position: Support if Amended

• Wildfire Prevention and Rate Payer Protections -  Legislative proposals are being developed by the legislature in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, the Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery related to land use development, forestry management, utility liability and rate payer protections. 
CLFP Position: Actively Engaging in Stakeholder Process

• Workforce Development - Legislation that consolidates and streamlines the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant program and provides additional funding to support program design and implementation as well as increased opportunities for industry engagement, partnerships and pathways development. 
CLFP Position: Support

• Sugar Sweetened Beverages -  A number of bills seek various ways to decrease consumption of sugar sweetened beverages including taxes, labels, and grocery store placement. 
CLFP Position: Oppose

• Plastics Pollution Reduction -  Legislation introduced requiring CalRecycle to adopt regulations to source reduce and recycle at least 75% of single-use packaging and products sold or distributed in California by 2030. 
CLFP Position: Oppose