WR is closely monitoring the bills that have advanced through the legislative process. Each week, we’ll spotlight our weekly “hot list” key legislation that could have the most significant impact on WR members.
Data Privacy (SB 5708)
SB 5708 “Protecting Children Online from Addictive Feeds” is sparking significant debate among industry groups and policymakers due to its broad scope and potential impact on businesses. Inspired by two California laws—one focused on age verification and the other on curbing addictive social media feeds—the bill aims to safeguard children’s online privacy and mental health.
Position: WR Opposes this bill.
Status: March 14, 2025: In House Consumer Protection & Business waiting for a hearing
Packaging Recycling – Extended Producer Responsibility (SB 5284)
Extended producer responsibility for packaging – Beverage container recycling was exempted from responsibility to fund this program. This exemption unfairly places the burden on retailers, making them the designated producer, whether they produce products or not. Additionally, this legislation would create yet another cost on retailers, which in turn would drive up consumer prices.
Position: WR has concerns with this bill.
Status: March 17, 2025: Scheduled for public hearing at 1:30 PM in the House Committee on Environment & Energy.
Fiscal Note: Recent cost estimates on California’s similar program are $36 billion.
Employment Law: Allowing for corrections to wage and salary disclosures (SB 5408)
This right to curelegislation grants employers an additional 10 days to correct job posting violations, excluding wage band issues. While clarification is needed on whether the correction period applies to calendar or business days, progress on the bill is promising, and further refinements are expected.
Position: WR is in support of this bill.
Status: Mar 4, 2025: In House Labor & Workforce Standards waiting for a hearing.
Improving public safety funding by providing resources to local governments and state and local criminal justice agencies and authorizing a local option tax (HB 2015)
This legislation aims to allocate funding for police, prosecutors, public defenders, and treatment programs at the local government level. However, it has drawn criticism from the Republican minority in the House, who argue that the state should instead allocate $100 million solely toward law enforcement hiring and retention. Despite their opposition, the bill—which takes a broader, multi-faceted approach—passed by a vote of 54 to 42. While it has not yet been scheduled in the Senate, leadership has indicated that this will be the bill they prioritize moving forward.
Position: WR is in support of this bill.
Status: March 13, 2025: In Senate Law & Justice waiting for a hearing.
Concerning unemployment insurance benefits for striking or lockout workers (SB 5041)
This bill is scheduled for a vote on the 21st. Last year, a similar measure passed but was limited to 4 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. That bill ultimately failed in the Senate. This year, however, the Senate has approved an increase to 12 weeks of benefits, down from the originally proposed 26 weeks. The focus now will be on how to mitigate the impact of this bill, with efforts to potentially reduce the benefit period back to 4 weeks, although strong opposition to the bill’s principles is expected.
Position: WR opposes this bill.
Status: March 21, 2025: Scheduled for executive session at 10:30 AM in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards.
Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program (HB 1213)
This bill expands protections for workers under the Paid Family Leave program by removing exemptions for employers with fewer than 50 employees. The current exemption, which aligns with the Federal FMLA, was initially part of the program’s design. However, eliminating this exemption will present significant challenges for small employers, with some potentially unable to continue operations as a result.
Position: WR Opposes this bill.
Status: March 13, 2025 In Senate Labor & Commerce waiting for a hearing.
