California Politics and Industry News
CAL SMACNA Launches Choose Bigger California!
SACRAMENTO, California – CAL SMACNA is proud to launch the “Choose Bigger California” industry recruitment campaign today. This campaign is designed to increase awareness of the rewarding careers in the sheet metal and HVAC industry for students pursuing...
Be Prepared for SB 1159 and COVID-19 Workers Comp Action-Over Claims; AND Reminder: COVID-19 Reporting of Infected Employees Due by Thursday, October 29, 2020
On September 17, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 1159. That legislation codifies the COVID-19 presumption created by Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-62-20. The new law provides two new rebuttable presumptions that an...
Clearing the Air: Indoor Air Quality in Schools
Snips Magazine released the following article regarding the indoor air quality of schools in California. They highlight the new white paper published by the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) and the University of California - Davis. View the...
Governor Newsom Signs Assembly Bill 841 Creating the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program: Providing Upwards of $600M for Public School Ventilation Work
SACRAMENTO -- CAL SMACNA is pleased to announce Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 841 authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting creating the School Reopening Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Verification and Repair Program (SRVEERP). This is a long...
Cal/OSHA For Construction Industry COVID-19 Compliance in the Workplace
Workplace safety and health regulations in California require employers to take steps to protect workers exposed to infectious diseases like the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), which is widespread in the community. Cal/OSHA has posted guidance to help...
Commissioner Lara Issues Order Resulting in Workers’ Compensation Premium Savings for California Businesses Affected by COVID-19
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...
California Public Health Officials Release Guidance Requiring Californians to Wear Face Coverings in Most Settings Outside the Home
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...
Governor Newsom Releases Updated Industry Guidance
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...
Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order Creating a “Rebuttable Presumption” on COVID-19 Related Workers’ Compensation Claims
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...
Department of Labor Urges Masks, Distance For COVID-19 Construction Safety
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...
Cal/OSHA Responds to CA Construction Industry Questions on Recording and Reporting of COVID-19 Illnesses at the Workplace
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...
Federal Paycheck Protection Program: 1) Gets New Guidance from SBA & Treasury; and 2) Congress Promises Delivery of More Funds
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...
Governor Newsom Unveils New Resources to Aid Small Businesses
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...
COVID-19 Related Construction Project Shutdowns Could Trigger Mechanics Lien, Stop Payment Notice, and Payment Bond Deadlines
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...
WARNING: Construction as an “Essential Industry” During COVID-19 Remains a Revocable Privilege in CA
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...