SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and members of the California Senate Republican Caucus have introduced a legislative package to counteract the job-killing impacts of Assembly Bill 5 (2019). Senate Bill 806, authored by Senate Republican Leader Grove and co-authored by members of the Senate Republican Caucus, would repeal and replace AB 5 with a new test which supports much more worker freedom and saves business-to-business relationships.
Included in the Republicans’ legislative package are bills to help many of the industries that have been decimated by the anti-worker law and were left out of AB 5. Click here to read more about Republicans’ legislative package.
•SB 806 (Grove): Repeal & Replace AB 5
•SB 867 (Bates): Protect Newspaper Carriers and Distributors
•SB 868 (Bates): Protect Freelance Journalists
•SB 875 (Grove/Jones): Exempt Interpreters/Translators
•SB 881 (Jones): Exempt Musicians and Music Industry Professionals
•SB 963 (Morrell): Protect Independent Umpires and Referees
•SB 965 (Nielsen): Exempt Healthcare Facilities
•SB 966 (Nielsen): Exempt Licensed Pharmacists
•SB 967 (Borgeas): Protect Franchisors and Franchisees
•SB 975 (Dahle): Assist Timber Industry
•SB 990 (Moorlach): Protect APP-based drivers
Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (Bakersfield):
“Senate Republicans have continuously warned legislative Democrats about the horrendous consequences of limiting worker freedom. Independent contractors are being hurt by this anti-worker law and some have lost their ability to earn a living. This disastrous law must be repealed and replaced so Californians can once again have flexibility in the freelance economy.
Senator Patricia Bates (Laguna Niguel):
“AB 5 took a sledgehammer approach to an employment problem that required a scalpel. The law hammered many Californians who truly wish to remain their own bosses. That is why we must repeal and replace AB 5 to address the legitimate concerns of misclassified workers and protect those who want to remain independent.”
Senator Andreas Borgeas (Fresno):
“AB 5 could be devastating to the franchise model, which grants a license to operate a business under a franchisor’s trademark such as a fast food chain or gas station. SB 967 would ensure that franchisees would not be considered an employee of the franchisor but instead an independent contractor.”
Senator Ling Ling Chang (Diamond Bar):
“One of the unintended consequences of AB 5 is that more than a million independent contractors are now struggling to earn a living. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to author this much needed bill package. Let’s protect Californians and fix this mess.”
Senator Brian Dahle (Bieber):
“California’s economic strength is threatened daily by the actions of legislators who have little to no experience running a business. As a small business owner, this reality scares me. Without some sort of correction to this anti-contractor law, we risk stunting our growth.”
Senator Brian Jones (El Cajon):
“AB 5 is one of the worst laws enacted by the Legislature in recent years. It should really be repealed in its entirety, but short of that we need to exempt as many industries as possible from it. SB 881 will at least help musicians and other professionals in the music industry get out from under the unfair and arbitrary AB 5.”
Senator John Moorlach (Costa Mesa):
“Californians providing for their families or earning extra cash shouldn’t be put in the middle of a union fight in the State Capitol. There should be room in state code for both independent contractors and common law employees. If someone wants to drive as a full-time job, then drivers should be able to freely negotiate with the TNCs without the Legislature meddling in their right to earn a living.”
Senator Mike Morrell (Rancho Cucamonga):
“AB 5 has cost thousands of people their jobs simply because they chose lines of work that best fit their lives. That is wrong. Californians should have every opportunity to prosper and provide for their families. I am proud to join my Republican colleagues to reverse AB 5 and restore job certainty for those whose livelihoods are now at risk.”
Senator Jim Nielsen (Tehama):
“Healthcare professionals provide critical care and save lives. State law should allow them flexibility to manage their families and other time commitments, and not risk the health and welfare of Californians.”
Senator Scott Wilk (Santa Clarita):
“The ramifications of AB 5 have destroyed the ability for many people to make a living. We are putting out a package of solutions today that will allow Californians to continue working in the way that works for them.”
BACKGROUND:
Known as a job killer law, Assembly Bill 5 (2019) went into effect in January 2020. Independent contractors from across the state have been under attack and dealing with the negative impacts of AB 5. Click here to read more about the Legislative Analyst’s Office report on AB 5.
