The State Of California Is Too Broke To Implement Costly Climate Legislation

In previous posts, I have written about SB 253 and SB 261.   The former requires "reporting entities" (as defined) to disclose Scope 1, 2 & 3 greenhouse gas emissions. The latter imposes climate-related financial risk reporting. Both are likely to...

The Legislature Will Soon Be Back In Town And Facing Imminent Deadlines

On January 4, 2024, the California legislature will reconvene for the second year of its current biennium.  Joint Rule 51(a)(4).  January opens the new year with some important legislative deadlines.

Was 2023 An Annus Horribilis For California Legislative Drafting?

It is that time of year when both the professional and general press feature stories about new laws that will be taking effect.  As I survey the California legislature's handiwork in 2023, I have identified the following themes:

Governor Signs Bill Prohibiting Any Grocery Store Purchases Without Prior Written Notice To The Attorney General

Anyone planning to buy a loaf of bread or head of lettuce next year will need to plan ahead.  Last weekend, Governor Newsom signed AB 853 into law.  This bill provides that "[n]o person shall acquire, directly or indirectly, any . . . assets of a...

With Less Than One Month To Go, These Bills Are On Deck For Passage

The California legislature meets biennially. Cal. Const. Art. IV, § 3(a). Because this is an odd-numbered year, we are currently in the first year of the session. Thursday, September 14, 2023 will be the last day for each house to pass bills. (J.R....

Shoppers May Soon Be Required To Notify The Attorney General Before Buying A Loaf Of Bread Or Can Of Peas!

Last May, I wrote with some incredulity about AB 853 (Maienschein) which is ostensibly directed at mergers and acquisitions of grocery and drug stores.  The bill, however, appears to be progressing toward enactment.   As a reminder, the bill provides:

California Believes Clams, Crabs and Bumblebees Are Fish, Does It Now Believe That Joshua Trees Are A Type Of Asparagus?

California law sometimes adopts an odd view of the natural world.  For example, California considers clams and crabs to be fish.  Cal. Fish & Game Code § 45.  See In California, A Snail Is Sometimes A Fish And A Goldfish Isn't. Then the Court of Appeal...

Ten Rules For Group Decision Making By The Man Who Wrote The Book

Born at the end of the 19th century, Paul Mason worked for the California legislature and Governor Goodwin Knight.  In 1935, he published Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure, which is commonly known as Mason's Manual.  After Mr. Mason's death in...

Judge Slaughter Refuses To Enjoin Physician Gag Statute

Last year, the California legislature enacted statutory changes ostensibly to limit the spread of misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19 by licensed physicians.  2022 Cal. Stats. ch. 938 (AB 2098), See California Legislates Covid-19...

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