Category Archives: Legislative Updates
Victory! AT&T and Verizon’s attack on low-income consumers stopped
CFC Executive Director Richard Holober stated, “An outpouring of opposition from consumers, seniors, organized labor, and the faith community overcame the corporate lobbying clout of AT&T and Verizon. Low-income Californians will continue to have basic phone service, including 911 service, at an affordable price.” Read More ›
Ineffective, toxic flame-retardant chemicals on the way out
California regulators and lawmakers moving forward on adopting flammability standards that would help eliminate ineffective and toxic flame retardant chemicals linked to neurological problems, infertility, cancer, and other adverse health impacts. Read More ›
Apple’s disregard for consumer privacy – a consistent policy
Opposing privacy protections is not new for Apple, as they have continued to breach data protection and consumer rights over the years. As a result, their cult-like following has begun to erode. Read More ›
AT&T’s attack on low-income Lifeline program with AB 1407 (2-year bill)
AB 1407 grossly favors telecom industry giants and allows them to place a stranglehold on low-income Californians, at the growing expense of ratepayers. Simultaneously, it guts the current LifeLine program, rendering it less available, less reliable, and less affordable for those it serves. Read More ›
Progress on toxic flame retardant protections
For nearly four decades, an outdated California furniture flammability standard has led to the widespread use of toxic flame retardant chemicals, without the promised benefits of reducing fire deaths. Read More ›
AB 25 extends social media privacy rights to public-sector employees (2-year bill)
CFC supports AB 25, which would extend social media privacy provisions to public sector applicants and employees. Read More ›
SB 556 holds government agencies responsible when subcontracted workers appear to be their employees (2-year bill)
CFC, California Professional Firefighters, and California Labor Federation are co-sponsoring the bill, which will hold government agencies responsible when subcontracted workers appear to be their employees. Read More ›
AB 844: Trojan Horse that would have destroyed credit card privacy protections
The bill was hijacked by retail industry lobbyists and amendments turned AB 844 into a vehicle to eliminate privacy protections for credit card transactions at brick-and-mortar businesses. The author held the bill until 2014, and has reaffirmed his commitment to work with us to restore it as a pro-privacy bill.
AB 995 attacks vital consumer utility protection program (2-yr bill)
AB 995 is a direct attack on consumer organizations and ratepayers. This bill only benefits the giant utilities by freezing out consumer, environmental, safety, health, and the disadvantaged communities that deserve effective representation before the CPUC. Read More ›
SB 661 would weaken California’s Made in USA label (2-year bill)
CFC opposed the bill, which would undercut businesses that are committed to American manufacturing and mislead consumers who care about truthful labels. It has become a 2-year bill. Read More ›
AB 1291 Internet Right to Know Act (2-year bill)
The fight in California to liberate people’s personal information from the companies that track them online has been put on hold for the rest of the year. Assemblymember Lowenthal decided to stall her Right to Know Act of 2013 to garner more support, delaying action until 2014. Read More ›
AB 553 would protect elderly against reverse mortgages (2-year bill)
Co-sponsored by CFC, the bill would help ensure that seniors understand the reverse mortgage before signing a contract; it has become a 2-year bill. Read More ›
AB 462 would save lives of elderly with sprinkler systems (2-year bill)
Fire sprinklers should be viewed as a necessary investment in protecting the safety of vulnerable residents. CFC supported the bill, overdue legislation that would save lives. Read More ›