California Legislation
While the Best Offense is a Good Defense, We Often Support Measures Too
by Kevin Gould, SVP/Director of Government Relations
Unfortunately, we often find ourselves writing about legislation that we oppose. This time, we are pleased to share an update on a few measures that we are proud to support. While regrettably much of our attention focuses on opposing measures that result in unintended negative consequences that frustrate our ability to support our customers and the communities we serve, or that create new compliance burdens and legal liability, we commonly do support measures that are good public policy.
Recent Labor Laws in California: What Bankers Need to Know
by Melanie Cuevas, VP of Government Relations
Each year California enacts about a thousand new laws with impacts that run the gamut and largely reflect the liberal viewpoint of the Legislature’s democratic supermajority. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the legislative process in 2020, California lawmakers tackled numerous issues related to human resources that will have longstanding impacts on California workplaces for years to come – diversity on boards of directors, protected and paid leave benefits, reporting of pay data, and workplace protections for victims of domestic violence.
Legislative Sessions Underway in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento
by Kevin Gould, SVP/Director of Government Relations
At the federal level, Congress is in and we are seeing the re-introduction of several measures from the prior Congressional session that are impactful to the banking industry. One important factor that distinguishes this session compared to the prior is that Democrats have taken control of the Senate while maintaining a narrower margin in the House of Representatives. This could have implications on measures important to our industry.
California Advances COVID Relief to Struggling Californians
by Kevin Gould, SVP/Director of Government Relations
Since the Legislature’s return in January, the state has taken swift action to advance COVID-19 relief to struggling Californians. Economic assistance provided through the state’s efforts are designed to augment federal relief and extend support to individuals and small businesses that may not have received help in prior efforts.
CBA Responds to AB 1177, the California Public Banking Option Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Bankers Association (CBA), issued the following statement in response to today’s press conference supporting AB 1177:
“Here we go again with the annual introduction of yet another bill seeking to introduce public banking to California. Despite voter rejection of the idea at the polls and public opinion polling indicating Californians’ opposition to the concept, advocates are nonetheless back pushing an idea with limited support.