California Chamber of Commerce

A contentious bill, Assembly Bill 1776, seeks to expand California’s antitrust law to allow lawsuits against companies using unfair tactics to suppress competition. The proposal faces opposition from business and tech industries, while proponents argue it would protect consumers and small businesses by curbing corporate power.

Californians may gain a new legal avenue to sue companies for stifling competition under Assembly Bill 1776, which expands antitrust laws. The bill faces opposition from business and tech groups, who argue it could lead to predatory lawsuits, while proponents, including labor unions and trial lawyers, claim it would protect consumers and small businesses.

Sen. Roger Niello's bill to give businesses 120 days to fix ADA violations before lawsuits, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, was blocked by Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Ash Kalra, a Democrat, who favored a competing bill. Disability rights groups opposed Niello's bill, arguing it would hinder accountability, while business groups supported it.

California's Senate Bill 399, which prohibits employers from penalizing employees for skipping mandatory work meetings involving political or religious speech, faces legal challenges in the Ninth Circuit. Employers argue the law infringes on their First Amendment rights, while California contends it only restricts punishment for non-attendance, not the meetings themselves. Judges expressed skepticism about applying the 'captive audience' doctrine to private employers.

The California Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Xavier Becerra for governor following the primary. The endorsement occurred shortly after the primary concluded.

The California Chamber of Commerce endorsed Xavier Becerra for governor, marking the first time the group has supported a Democrat in a gubernatorial race. The endorsement was over Republican Steve Hilton, with the chamber stating Becerra is best positioned to provide stability and certainty for California businesses.

California is addressing gaps in student data privacy laws through Assembly Bill 1159, which aims to restrict AI companies and close loopholes in existing protections. Tech companies and business groups oppose the bill, while labor organizations support it. Current laws from 2014 and 2018 have exceptions allowing data collection and sales by tech firms.