SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 988 (SB 988), the Freelance Worker Protection Act. SB 988 provides basic protections — enforced by the State Labor Commissioner and the Attorney General — for freelance workers, including the right to a contract, the right to be paid within 30 days of the conclusion of the work, and the right to damages for non-payment, set at double the amount of wages withheld.
SACRAMENTO – Today, 10 Senators led by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released a letter calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject a utility-backed proposal that would raise energy bills for millions of Californians by $360-824 per year. The proposed fixed charge is 4-6x higher than similar charges in other states, and removes the incentive for customers to reduce their bill by conserving energy. To date, the CPUC has held no public hearings on this proposal.
SACRAMENTO – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a lawsuit against the state of California’s air regulator, Chamber v. California Air Resources Board (CARB), attempting to block Senator Wiener’s landmark climate law SB 253, as well as Senator Henry Stern’s landmark SB 261, which were signed into law by Governor Newsom last fall. SB 253 and 261 are globally leading carbon disclosure laws that will be deeply impactful in California’s climate efforts.
Senator Wiener issued the following statement in response:
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 969 (SB 969), which allows cities to create “Entertainment Zones” in public spaces where local bars and restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol outdoors. These zones will give bars and restaurants and the surrounding businesses a much-needed boost. By allowing this activity in targeted spaces designated by the local community, SB 969 will responsibly activate downtown streets where activity has struggled to rebound since the onset of COVID-19.
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) announced Senate Bill 966 (SB 966), legislation to rein in anticompetitive practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which are a significant contributor to rising drug costs. By cracking down on abuses, requiring that PBMs be licensed by the California Board of Pharmacy, and bringing heightened scrutiny to the role PBMs play in rising drug prices, SB 966 will lower healthcare costs for millions of Californians.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced the Speeding and Fatality Emergency Reduction on California Streets (SAFER California Streets) Package, Senate Bills 960 & 961, a first-in-the-nation effort to make California roads safe and accessible to all users. Senate Bill 961 requires changes to vehicles directly, including a first-in-the-nation requirement that all new vehicles sold in California install speed governors, smart devices that automatically limit the vehicle’s speed to 10 miles above the legal limit.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 957, legislation to require state health agencies to collect sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data alongside other demographic information in order to identify and combat health disparities. The bill enacts the full recommendations of last year’s state audit, which found that the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) failure to collect SOGI data impacted its ability to protect LGBTQ health.
SACRAMENTO – Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 951, legislation to remove urbanized San Francisco from the Coastal Zone — while retaining coastal natural resources in the zone — and refine the role of the coastal commission in housing approvals under certain circumstances. By resolving unnecessary permitting delays in the disproportionately low-housing Coastal Zone, SB 951 will aid cities’ efforts to meet state housing goals.
SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 937, legislation to temporarily defer cities’ collection of development fees (also known as impact fees), allowing more projects to pencil out. The legislation also extends entitlements, allowing projects on pause due to high interest rates to retain a key permit until market conditions improve. SB 937 provides builders with the flexibility to navigate challenging market conditions, while protecting a key source of revenue for local governments.