The Flasher Barricade Association has been serving the traffic control industry since 1962. See a full list of members.

NEWS OF INTEREST

April 15-17, 2015 in Sacramento!

STAY TUNED.....

MEETING NOTICE & REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

HAVE A QUESTION? EMAIL US AT: info@flasherbarricade.com

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Bill Introduction Deadline Brings ‘Loads’ of New Bills

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- March 2, 2015

This past Friday, February 27th, was the deadline for new bill introductions. In all, there were 1569 bills introduced in the Assembly and 839 in the Senate, for a grand total of 2,408 bills.
Bear in mind that many of these bills are ‘spot bills’ which means they are introduced as ‘place holders’ that will be amended in the future. In other words, many of the bills were introduced with minimal language in them just to ensure that they were introduced prior to the 5 PM deadline for new bills introductions on Friday. To be on the ‘safe side’ I always track far more bills than truly do affect your interests, just to ensure that any bill with even a remote possibility are in my sights.

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CSLB Proposes Legislation for 2015

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- February 13, 2015

Also In This Update

Statewide “Wage Theft is a Crime” Campaign Opens the Doors to California Labor Commissioner’s Office

Roundtable President Releases Statement Regarding Study on "Green Jobs" Impact to the California Economy

CSLB Proposes Legislation for 2015

The Contractors State License Board’s Legislative Committee will be meeting next Friday, February 20th, to discuss whether the board should pursue having the following bills introduced this year. If the committee approves these proposed measures, the recommendation will be placed on the full Contractors License Board’s agenda at their March meeting. Since this final approval will be after the deadline for new bill introductions (which is Friday, February 27th), the bills will be introduced either as spot bills (place holders) or be introduced by a legislative policy committee (typically either the Senate or Assembly Business and Professions Committee) since committees do not have deadlines. Comments? Please email me at phil@pvgov.com

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Cal/OSHA Reminds California Employers to Post Annual Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- February 5, 2015

Also In This Update

March 1, 2015 Deadline to Register as Public Works Contractor – If You Do Public Works Projects YOU MUST BE REGISTERED!
Transportation California Releases New Video About California’s Roads
California Eyes Road Repair Fees as Gas Tax Receipts Ebb
Are Cell Phones Going to be Your New Driver’s License?

Cal/OSHA Reminds California Employers to Post Annual Work-Related Injury and Illness Summaries

Cal/OSHA reminds all California employers to post their annual summaries of work-related injuries and illnesses from February 1 through April 30.

“This yearly requirement is a graphic reminder on the importance of workplace safety. It provides important data about injuries and illnesses that took place at the worksite, and highlights the need to address potential hazards,” said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Cal/OSHA, also known as the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, is a division of DIR.

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Is 2015 the Year of Transportation?
Governor Cites Need to Fix State's Roads

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- January 26, 2015

Also In This Update

California considering plan to replace gas tax with charge per mile driven
Road tax diversions and reality
In wake of Measure BB, counties mull transportation sales tax campaigns

Governor Brown signaled that finding a way to pay for rebuilding the state's neglected highways, roads and bridges would be a top priority in 2015 during his annual State of the State address to the Legislature.

After recalling the historic passage of Proposition 1, the statewide water bond, in November, he said transportation infrastructure is also crucial to the state's long-term success.

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More on Proposal to ‘Update’ California’s Tax System

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- January 15, 2015

Also In This Update

Bill to Further Regulate and Penalize Excavation Introduced
Contractors State License Board Issues 1,000,000th Contractor License
Legislative Analyst's Office Issues ‘Overview of Governor’s Budget

More on Proposal to ‘Update’ California’s Tax System
As I reported several weeks ago, Senator Bob Hertzberg has introduced SB 8 with the goal of addressing/reforming California’s tax system. Several of my lobbyist colleagues and I met with the senator yesterday afternoon to discuss his proposal which is summarized below.

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Governor Sworn-In for Record Fourth and Final Term

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- January 9, 2015

Also In This Update

An Annotated Guide to Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address
Governor Releases $164.7 Billion Budget Proposal
Three Former California Governors Write - Too few jobs, too much poverty

Governor Sworn-In for Record Fourth and Final Term
As he was sworn in for a record fourth term, Gov. Jerry Brown charted an ambitious new goal on Monday for California in its fight against climate change, challenging the nation's most populous state to increase renewable energy use to 50 percent in the next 15 years.

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Be Prepared For 2015 –New Laws and Other Requirements Commencing January 1, 2015

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- January 1, 2015

Also In This Update

Updates Mandated in 2015 to California Employment Posters, Pamphlets
Tax Season Opens As Planned Following Extenders Legislation
CA gas tax jumps 10 cents in Jan.
Excitement returns for Elon Musk’s Hyperloop

New Laws Commencing January 1, 2015
Are you ready to start off January 1st ‘in the know’ and in full compliance with all new laws, regulations and other requirements? Following is a listing of everything that will affect your business starting on January 1, 2015.

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DIR's Prevailing Wage Rate Determination System Being Upgraded

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- December 23, 2014

Also In This Update

Cindi A. Christenson Named CSLB’s Registrar
Tax Reform Wins Over Gas Tax Hike
Meeting Set January 14 with Senator Hertzberg to Discuss His SB 8

DIR's Prevailing Wage Rate Determination System Being Upgraded – Want to Participate?

The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is in the process of upgrading all of its online information systems that are used to administer and enforce prevailing wage requirements on public works projects. Two years ago DIR created a new public works project registration system using the PWC-100 form (formerly the DAS-13); and they are currently making plans to improve that system.

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Bill Creating Penalty for Not Calling Dig Alert to Be Re-Introduced

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- December 19, 2014

Also In This Update

More Information on SB 8 (Hertzberg) Which Would Replace Proposition 30

Bill Creating Penalty for Not Calling Dig Alert to Be Re-Introduced

With the effects of the PG&E gas line explosion still weighing heavy on his mind because the San Bruno tragedy was in his district, Senator Jerry Hill plans to re-introduce legislation in early January that will create penalties in the law for contractors who are caught excavating without having contacted Dig Alert to have the site marked properly.

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They’re Baack (For One Day)

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- Decembr 3, 2014

Also In This Update

Cal Trans Issues a Final Rule Amending its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Are Changes Coming to the Proposition 65 Warning Labels?

Stung by losses in the November election, the California Legislature's Democratic majority arrived for the first day of a new session this past Monday facing a political terrain more hostile to tax increases and other priorities of liberal lawmakers.

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Helping to ‘Level’ the Playing Field for Legitimate Contractors

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- November 26, 2014

Also In This Update

Notorious Transient Paver Finally Lands Long State Prison Term

For a change, something refreshing! Following are two articles showing how government is working hard to ‘level the playing field’ for legitimate contractors.
On this note, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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Cal-OSHA Releases Revised Proposal of Heat Illness Prevention Standards

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- November 21, 2014

Also In This Update

Cal/OSHA Cites Disney Construction for 2 Worker Fatalities: Faulty Equipment, Untrained Staff Caused Deaths at Job Site
The Impact of the President’s Executive Action on Immigration Upon U.S. Employers

Cal-OSHA Releases Revised Proposal of Heat Illness Prevention Standards
I reported back in September that Cal OSHA is proposing to update the existing Heat Illness Prevention Standards. I also reported that we are part of an employer coalition who has written letters and testified against the proposed changes as being overreaching and unnecessary.

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Insurance Commissioner Recommends Lower Pure Premium

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- November 14, 2014

Also In This Update

Local Revenue Measure Election Results
California’s new Legislature inexperienced but has more time to adjust

Insurance Commissioner recommends lower pure premium rate than suggested by workers’ comp rating bureau
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today adopted an advisory average pure premium rate of $2.74 per $100 of employer payroll for workers’ compensation rates effective January 1, 2015.

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CSLB Proposes 2015 Legislative Agenda

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- November 7, 2014

With the 2015 session of the California State Legislature set to commence in early January, the California Contractors State License Board is proposing to submit to their board their proposed legislative agenda. The following was presented to the CSLB’s Legislative Committee this week and will be formally approved at their December Board meeting in Berkeley. Once approved by the full board, the CSLB staff will work with some of my colleagues and me to find legislators willing to carry these bills. The bills will then be introduced between January and late March and then begin the legislative process.

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A Closer Review of Other Bills Signed Into Law

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- October 23, 2014

Also In This Update

Controller Joins Fight Against Wage Theft
IRS Announces 2015 Pension Plan Limitations; Taxpayers May Contribute up to $18,000 to their 401(k) plans in 2015

A Closer Review of Other Bills Signed Into Law
Following is a more in-depth review of other bills that were signed into law by the governor that could affect your business. Please note some of these bills apply only to larger companies and are noted as such. This legal review was written by the law firm of Ogletree Deakins. This article was published in the firm’s September 2014 issue of the California eAuthority.

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New Leadership in State Senate

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- October 17, 2014

Also In This Update

Use Third-Party Contractors for Labor? Take Heed!
More on New Sick Leave Law

Changing of the Guard In the Senate
State Senate Pro Tem Darrel Steinberg passed the baton Wednesday evening to his successor, Kevin de Leon, in a gala held at the Los Angeles Music Center. For more information about de Leon, go to: http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-pol-deleon-20141015-story.html#page=1

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Thank God For Election Years! Governor Vetoes SB 792 (Padilla)

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- October 10, 2014

Also In This Update

• Jerry Brown’s Veto Rate is Actually Quite Low (and What that Could Mean)
• Lawsuit Abuse Chases Jobs Out of California

In my Year-End Legislative Report I only reported on bills signed by the governor, meaning that the MOST objectionable one, SB 792 (Padilla), was not discussed because it was vetoed. Known as a ‘mushroom bill’ because it grew in the dark unnoticed by most in the wee hours of the last night of the session, the governor thankfully listened to the arguments of the opposition (including ours) and vetoed the measure.

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Governor Signs More Bills as Deadline to Act Draws Near

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- September 26, 2014

Also In This Update

• Update on Cal/OSHA Hearing On Proposed Changes to Heat Illness Standards
• Want to Know If there have been Gas Leaks in Your Local Area?
• No-party California Voters Nearly One-quarter of Electorate
• Congress Recesses for November Elections and Must Hear From Everyone about Need to Address Highway Trust Fund
• Contractors State License Board Launches New, Optimized Website

Governor Acts on Some Bills As Deadline Looms

With the constitutional deadline of Midnight, September 30th fast approaching, the governor has acted on several bills over the past week. I will be sending out a final report on the outcome of all of his actions as soon as possible after the deadline. Following is the latest information:

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New Leadership in State Senate

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- September 17, 2014

Also In This Update

Use Third-Party Contractors for Labor? Take Heed!
More on New Sick Leave Law

Changing of the Guard In the Senate

State Senate Pro Tem Darrel Steinberg passed the baton Wednesday evening to his successor, Kevin de Leon, in a gala held at the Los Angeles Music Center.

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Cal/OSHA Issues High Heat Advisory as Heat Wave Arrives in Southern California

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- September 11, 2014

Oakland—Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to protect their outdoor workers from the risk of heat illness, as temperatures in parts of Southern California climb into the upper 90s today and will continue to rise through the weekend and into early next week.

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Streets ‘Safe’ to Walk Again In Sacramento!

BY: Phil Vermeulen, Legislative Advocate- September 5, 2014

Also In This Update

Labor Task Force Targets Construction Sites that Commit Wage Theft, Put Workers at Risk
Heat Illness Prevention Update – Today’s the Deadline to Hear From You!
Dan Walters: ‘California Comeback’ hasn’t helped everyone

Phew! The 2013-2014 California State Legislative session is now officially over! Absent the governor calling them back to deal with an emergency or other special need, the 120 members are ‘safe’ within their legislative districts doing one of the following: ‘packing up’ if they are termed-out, ‘laying low’ with their constituency if they are a senator with two years left in their term, or dealing with a forthcoming November election for the remainder of the members.

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