(August 16, 2012) The Assembly and Senate Appropriations committees are meeting today to clear the suspense file, having reviewed the bills’ fiscal impact on the state’s General Fund.

Seven “job killer” bills are on the suspense file; the remaining five “job killer” bills are already on the floor awaiting action by the full Assembly and Senate.

The California Chamber of Commerce is asking businesses to contact their representatives and members of Senate and Assembly Appropriations and urge them to oppose these bills.

The following “job killer” bills await action by the Senate and Assembly Appropriations committees:

Costly Workplace Mandates

OPPOSE AB 1450 (Allen; D-Santa Rosa) JOB KILLER: Exposure to Costly Discrimination Litigation — Subjects employers to unjustified charges of discrimination for legitimately inquiring into an applicant’s most recent employment history. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing August 16; suspense file.

OPPOSE AB 1999 (Brownley; D-Santa Monica) JOB KILLER: Expansion of Discrimination Litigation — Makes it virtually impossible for employers to manage their employees and exposes them to a higher risk of litigation by expanding the Fair Employment and Housing Act to include a protected classification for any person who is, perceived, or associated with a family caregiver. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing August 16; suspense file.

OPPOSE AB 2039 (Swanson; D-Alameda) JOB KILLER: Expansion of Protected Leave Requirements for California Employers — Creates a burdensome, California–only mandated benefit that significantly expands the category of individuals with serious health conditions for whom an employee can take a leave of absence beyond what is currently included under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing August 16 suspense file.

OPPOSE AB 2346 (Butler; D-Los Angeles) JOB KILLER: Increased Costs and Unreasonable Requirements — Could increase the price of food and force growers to move their crop production to other states and countries, thereby hurting California exports, by creating excessive, unnecessary new rules regarding heat illness prevention with unreasonable consequences for violations. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing August 16; suspense file.

Fuel Price Increases

OPPOSE AB 1532 (John A. Pérez; D-Los Angeles) JOB KILLER: Illegal Tax Increase — Increases energy costs, including fuel prices, on consumers and businesses by allocating funds from an illegal tax to various programs that are not necessary to cost-effectively implement the market-based trading mechanism under AB 32. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing August 16; suspense file.

OPPOSE SB 535 (De León; D-Los Angeles) JOB KILLER: Illegal Tax Increase — Increases energy costs, including fuel prices, on consumers and businesses by allocating funds from an illegal tax to various programs that are not necessary to cost-effectively implement the market-based trading mechanism under AB 32. Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing August 16.

OPPOSE SB 1572 (Pavley; D-Agoura Hills) JOB KILLER: Illegal Tax Increase — Increases energy costs, including fuel prices, on consumers and businesses by allocating funds from an illegal tax to various programs that are not necessary to cost-effectively implement the market-based trading mechanism under AB 32. Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing August 16; suspense file.