California Politics and Industry News

Commissioner’s action mandates workers’ compensation carriers reflect reduced risk of loss in premiums due to “stay-at-home” ordersEarlier this week Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued an Order adopting emergency workers’ compensation regulations in...

SACRAMENTO -- The California Department of Public Health today released updated guidance that requires Californians to wear a face covering in high-risk settings. A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of...

SACRAMENTO -- Yesterday, to follow up on the state’s announcement that it will begin modifying the stay at home order on Friday, May 8, Governor Gavin Newsom released updated industry guidance – including for retail, manufacturing and logistics – to begin...

SACRAMENTO -- Governor Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order establishing a new rebuttable presumption for employees who contract COVID-19 to be eligible for workers' compensation (WC) benefits. The rebuttable presumption applies to all workers who...

Earlier this week LAW360 released the following article:"Wearing masks and staying six feet apart in work trailers can help keep construction workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor said.The Occupational Safety and Health...

SACRAMENTO -- The question for construction industry employers of “how” and “when” to report and record a COVID-19 related illness is important to answer. Cal/OSHA affirmed to CAL SMACNA today they will be posting guidance to employers on how report and...

SACRAMENTO -- The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of Treasury, provided guidance today to employers on the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Borrowers and lenders may rely on the guidance...

SACRAMENTO -- Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a series of new resources to aid small businesses in California amid the COVID-19 pandemic.What you need to know:1.Through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) the state is...

SACRAMENTO -- The following article was written for CAL SMACNA members by William C. Last. Mr. Last is an attorney who has been specializing in Construction Law for over 40 years. In this article he reviews the latest COVID-19 related project shutdowns in...

Is construction activity allowed in California or not? This vexing question is difficult to answer with certainty because different jurisdictions have different opinions. California Governor Gavin Newsom and the federal government have both issued guidance...

WASHINGTON – Following President Trump’s signing of the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin today announced that the SBA and Treasury Department...

SACRAMENTO -- The US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has released a helpful guide for small businesses to navigate the CARES Act federal relief package. This document covers Q&A in the following areas: Paycheck Protection...

SACRAMENTO -- CAL SMACNA’s new ADR Administrator and Broker of record Epic Insurance has provided our members with a "COVID-19 Recommended Practices for Construction Jobsites" document. It outlines Personal Responsibilities, Social Distancing,...

On March 20, 2020, a Coalition comprised of organizations who represent the majority of California's construction industry employers and tens of thousands of workers, wrote to Cal/OSHA seeking urgent clarification of regulatory policies related to the...

Governor Newsom has included construction in all forms in his list of Essential Workers. CLICK HERE to read the document in full.