Democrats Push Through Legislation To Delay Business Reopening SB 93 Targets The Hospitality Industry, Placing Additional Regulatory Hurdles On The Rehiring And Reopening Process.

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Bill 93 was rushed to the Assembly floor for a vote by the Legislature’s supermajority, where it passed off the floor despite all Republicans opposing the measure.

Strongly opposed by California’s business community, the bill creates a “right of recall” that requires employers in the hospitality sector who laid off employees due to COVID-19 to offer to reinstate them and provide notice of this to former employees. Even if the business has changed ownership or relocated, they would still be required to comply with the bill and face substantial liability, including owing the employee backpay and a $500 per day fine.  

“This bill hamstrings businesses just as they are trying to reopen.” Said Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber), who opposed the bill on the Assembly floor. “This bill inappropriately dictates hiring decisions, creating delays when a business is trying to reopen. SB 93’s administrative burdens will significantly hamper businesses’ flexibility as they try to reopen. Contrary to the assumptions of this bill, many employers in the North State have had positions open in the hospitality sector that have been difficult to fill. SB 93 does nothing to help incentivize qualified employees to take these open positions, and instead opts to penalize businesses when they are barely hanging on. This is the completely wrong approach.”

SB 93 now moves to the Senate for consideration by the Senate Budget Committee.

Assemblywoman Megan Dahle represents the 1st Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Butte and Placer counties, along with Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, and Siskiyou counties.