Here is a sample of some of the business and fair practices bills I am currently working on in the state Assembly. I've also listed past legislation from previous years. For a complete review of my state legislative record, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

2007

AB 684: California Industrial Hemp Farming Act

Industrial hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of the cannabis plant that is genetically distinct from marijuana. Industrial hemp is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products including automotive parts, fiber board, paper, textiles, healthy foods, and body care products. This bill would permit California farmers to grow industrial hemp and take advantage of the growing U.S. hemp products market now valued at $300 million.

AB 1310: Bandit Limos and Charter Transportation Services

California has a growing problem throughout the state of limousine and passenger charter transportation services operating without a certificate or permit issued by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). These bandit services pose a threat to consumers who unknowingly call an advertised number of an illegally operating passenger carrier. This bill will require the certificate or permit number of any limousine or passenger charter transportation service to be included in any advertisement of service. Additionally, it will authorize the PUC to disconnect the telephone service of any limousine or passenger charter transportation entity that is advertising service but operating without a certificate or permit.

2006

AB 2914: Deletion of Architect LLP Sunset Date

In 1998, legislation was enacted to allow architects to form Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), with a sunset date of January 1, 2007. In the eight years since, architectural firms have successfully operated as LLPs. AB 2914 removes the sunset date in order to allow them to continue operating as such.

2005

AB 499: Local Small Business Contracting Preferences

Current law creates a scoring preference for small businesses competing for local contracts. Currently, there is no opportunity for local agencies to encourage contracting to small businesses in their communities. This bill would offer an optional preference for local agencies that wanted to include more local small businesses in the contracting process.

AB 799: Vehicle License Fee Option for San Francisco

This bill would authorize the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to put a measure on the local ballot that would reinstate the Vehicle License Fee to its historic 2% level, with the proceeds going to fund critical local health, safety, and transportation services.

2004

AB 578: Electronic Recording Act

This measure would set up a framework under which County Assessors and Recorders could receive documents electronically. Most Assessors and Recorders already operate electronically upon receipt of paper-based documents. In 2002, the Attorney General indicated that receipt of electronic recordings by County Assessors and Recorders requires legislative authorization.

AB 2303: Limiting Corporate Executive Compensation in Bankruptcy

This measure prevents a public utility from giving executive bonuses while in insolvency and at the expense of ratepayers. This measure is a direct response to the exorbitant bonuses given to PG&E executives while the company was in bankruptcy.

AB 2552: Marriage and Family Therapist Scope of Practice Clarification

Business and Professions Code provides that Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) degree programs must contain "an integrated course of study that trains students generally in the diagnosis, assessment, prognosis and treatment of mental disorders." It also provides that degree programs for MFTs shall contain supervised practices "in applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, including dysfunctions, healthy functioning, health promotion, and illness prevention." AB 2552 clarifies the fact that the MFT scope of practice includes the responsibilities and duties for which an MFT is trained.

AB 2591: Local government enforcement of charter party carrier laws for limousines

This measure would allow local governments to regulate and enforce charter party carrier laws for limousines. The state PUC currently regulates and enforces charter party carrier laws for limousines, but statewide enforcement could benefit from added local enforcement. Violations of charter party carrier laws have public safety and consumer implications. Allowing local enforcement of the law will create a safer environment for everyone.

AB 2761: Rental Car Contracts for Business Customers

In 1998 the Legislature enacted significant protections for rental car consumers in order to ensure that these customers are given a fair and accurate quote for their rental car before entering into a rental car contract. These protections were never meant to apply to the unique circumstances of the business renter whose company has entered into a pre-negotiated agreement with a rental car company. This measure would allow businesses to pre-negotiate contracts outside the confines of the rules created for individual renters.

2003

AB 807: Prevailing Wage

Assembly Bill 807 closes loopholes around the timely payment of the health and welfare portion of the prevailing wage, requiring payment on at least on a quarterly basis.