In the State Capitol February 17th serves as an important date, the bill introduction deadline.  While legislation can emerge in various forms later on in the year, February 17th provides us with a good glimpse of what is to come in 2017.

So far CTA has identified over 60 bills that could affect trucking in California.  Here are some of the highlights for you:

First the good, as your advocates in Sacramento CTA is sponsoring two bills that will make life easier for truckers if they pass.  

AB 301 (Rodriguez) – Will reduce the significant wait times faced by potential commercial drivers for DMV tests by expanding the availability of third party testing that will both safeguard public safety and help address California’s truck driver shortage.

SB 174 (Lara) – Will crack down on non-compliant trucks who are undercutting businesses that have abided by the law, requiring the DMV to ensure trucks with a weight rating of more than 14,000 lbs are compliant with air pollution control technology requirements before being allowed to register.

As is the norm in California, there are several bills that are concerning.  At the top of the list is AB 5 (Gonzalez Fletcher) which increases exposure for litigation to businesses all over the state by requiring any additional hours of work available to existing part-time employees, inserting the state into private companies’ ability to hire as they see fit.   

As we move through the upcoming year, we at CTA will continue to update you on the progress of these and other pieces of legislation.