The California Legislature has returned from summer recess and the California Autobody Association (CAA) anticipates a surge of legislative activity in the coming weeks. CAA has been following these legislative bills, and will continue to monitor and report.
Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)
AB 1263: The bill, among other things, would maintain the continuation of the BAR Advisory Committee; require employees, such as service writers, who are involved in a BAR violation to attend remedial training; require a salvage rebuilder selling a revived salvage vehicle to provide a consumer with a safety systems certificate and require upcoming BAR towing and storage regulations to reference the civil and vehicle codes and insurance code regulations.
CAA position: Support.
Status: Senate.
Catalytic Converter Theft
AB 641: Makes it a misdemeanor for someone to possess six or more used catalytic converters that have been cut from a vehicle unless they are a licensed dismantler.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Senate.
AB 1519: Makes it a misdemeanor to remove, alter or obfuscate any VIN engraved, etched or otherwise marked on a catalytic converter, or from possessing 3 or more catalytic converters that have been so altered.
CAA position: Concerns.
Status: Senate.
SB 55: Prohibits a motor vehicle dealer from selling a vehicle equipped with a catalytic converter unless the converter has been permanently marked with the VIN, the vehicle is sold for dismantling or salvage, the vehicle is sold at a wholesale auction or a buyer declines the marking offered by the dealer.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Assembly.
Career Technical Education
AB 377: Increases CTE funding from $300 million each year to $450 million.
CAA position: Support.
Status: Senate.
Employment
AB 518: Expands the definition of “family member” for purposes of the Paid Family Leave Program to allow workers to take time off to care for a seriously ill designated person.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Senate.
AB 524: Adds caregiver status as a protected class under Fair Employment and Housing Act.
CAA position: Concerns.
Status: Senate.
AB 1100: Establishes the 32-hour workweek pilot program.
CAA position: Concerns.
Status: Two-year bill.
SB 616: Modifies employer sick leave and requires an employee have no less than 56 hours of accrued sick leave.
CAA position: Concerns.
Status: Assembly.
SB 703: Permits a nonexempt employee to request a flexible work schedule providing up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek without obligation to pay overtime.
CAA position: Support.
Status: Failed passage in committee.
Hazardous Waste
AB 407: Deletes the criterion that used oil not be subject to regulation as used oil under federal law.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Senate.
AB 493: Relates to the California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Two-year bill.
AB 1614: Requires state water resources to conduct a study on how to phase out the existence of gas fueling stations.
CAA position: Concerns.
Status: Senate.
AB 1716: Make various technical changes to the six unified hazardous waste and materials management regulatory program overseen by the Certified United Programs Agencies (CUPAs).
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Senate.
Vehicle Batteries
AB 1579: Requires the state, beginning in 2035, to establish a bid specification for the acquisition of motor vehicles and determining the lowest bidder to consider whether the vehicle is equipped with lithium-ion batteries produced with the least environmental impact.
CAA position: Watch.
Status: Two-year bill.
Abby Andrews