January Legal Recap

A round-up of the some of the most important updates in law and business from California and around the country.

By Matthew Harvey, Marketing Coordinator

Business —

1) The Kroger Company to add 10,000 permanent positions, reports 3% 2016 workforce growth
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kroger-employement-idUSKBN1571NU

2) Department of Health reports 28% of Affordable Care Act customers identify as Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/01/obamacare-and-small-businesses.html

3) The US Officially withdraws participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/01/23/president-trump-signs-order-to-withdraw-from-transpacific-partnership/

4) CA Salons now fully-permitted to serve beer-and-wine to clients without liquor license
http://www.popsugar.com/beauty/New-Law-Allows-Free-Alcohol-California-Salons-42941153

5) President promises “major” border tax on companies moving from US; says business regulations to be be cut 75%
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-01-23/trump-said-to-meet-with-dow-ceo-liveris-labor-leaders-on-Monday

6) Executive Order introduced seeking reduction of federal regulations — “2-for-1” rule; does not apply to most Obama Administration financial reform rules
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-regulations-idUSKBN15E1QU

 

Employment —

1) CA Supreme Court rules employers must relieve employees of all duties during breaks; no “on-call” rest or meal breaks
http://norcalrecord.com/stories/511074763-california-supreme-court-clarifies-rules-on-employee-rest-breaks

2) Commission on Health & Safety and Worker’s Compensation creates new packet of materials that can be used for CA Small Business Safety Training
http://www.dir.ca.gov/chswc/woshtep/sbmrhealthandsafety.htm

3) Chris Dolan on maximizing paid-time-off when having a child
http://www.sfexaminer.com/maximize-paid-time-off-child-born/

 

Insurance —

1) Rate challenges from Prop 103 save CA Consumers $246 Million in 2016; Consumer Watchdog groups say insurance industry gearing up to fight consumer participation
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-win-246-million-in-savings-from-prop-103-rate-challenges-in-2016-insurance-industry-launches-new-attack-on-consumer-participation-says-consumer-watchdog-300393722.html

2) CA Supreme Court unanimously upholds Insurance Commissioner regulations protecting home owners from being underinsured (For now)
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Ca-court-upholds-regulations-protecting-10877903.php

 

Home Sweet Home: California & Los Angeles Updates —

1) LA County reports record number of tourists in 2016
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tourism-numbers-20170111-story.html

2) CA Bill bans State-Funded/Sponsored travel to 4 States with Anti-LGBTQ Laws
http://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/1/07/california-bans-travel-4-states-anti-lgbt-laws

3) Bay-Area Senator introduces bill to remove real-estate developmental restrictions in cities that don’t meet housing goals set by state
http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-california-cities-will-have-to-make-it-1485196277-htmlstory.html

4) CA Prohibits all phone usage while behind-the-wheel
http://www.thesfnews.com/new-california/32938

5) Eviction Defense Network sues tenant, AirBnB claiming violation of LA Rental Laws
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-airbnb-lawsuit-20170109-story.html

6) January’s rainstorms cause Jerry Brown to declare State of Emergency in LA County; survey goes online to collect property damage information
http://www.pasadenanow.com/main/governor-declares-county-in-state-of-emergency-pasadena-residents-asked-to-report-damage/

 

Law Enforcement —

1) Senate Bill SB21 Would require Police to submit to Surveillance Use Policy when acquiring & using Surveillance Technology
https://www.21centurystate.com/articles/california-law-would-require-approval-for-police-surveillance-tech/

2) CA Appeals Court tosses out law banning Grand Juries from probing Police Shootings
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/general-news/20170114/grand-juries-can-probe-police-shootings

 

Legal Updates —

1) Attorney-Client privilege of CA Attorney invoices now depends on litigation status
http://www.natlawreview.com/article/california-attorney-billing-invoice-privilege-depends-status-litigation

2) Arizona Senator introduces legislation aiming at breaking up “oversized and overworked” 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals in 9 States
http://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/315354-gop-eyes-new-push-to-break-up-california-court

3) AI Attorneys? Study to be conducted in New Zealand on Artificial Intelligence’s effect on law & morality
https://bizedge.co.nz/story/new-study-delve-murky-world-ais-effects-law-ethics-and-morality/

4) California court rules against requirement for Plaintiffs to advance Defendant’s legal expenses
http://www.natlawreview.com/article/california-court-rules-plaintiff-not-required-to-advance-defendant-s-legal-expenses