Bill Text: CA SB751 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Franchise agreements: solid waste handling services: labor dispute.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2024-01-25 - Veto sustained. [SB751 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB751-Enrolled.html

Enrolled  September 19, 2023
Passed  IN  Senate  September 14, 2023
Passed  IN  Assembly  September 13, 2023
Amended  IN  Assembly  September 01, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  May 04, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  April 27, 2023
Amended  IN  Senate  April 26, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 751


Introduced by Senator Padilla

February 17, 2023


An act to add Section 53064.3 to the Government Code, relating to franchise agreements.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 751, Padilla. Franchise agreements: solid waste handling services: labor dispute.
Existing law contains various provisions relating to franchise agreements between a local jurisdiction and a service provider for the provision of services such as utilities, waste hauling, and cable television.
This bill would prohibit any franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services, as defined, entered into or substantially amended, as defined, by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024, from containing a force majeure provision that excuses the service provider from complying with the franchise contracts, licenses, or permits in the event of a work stoppage associated with a labor dispute, as defined. The bill would require specified provisions to be included in any exclusive franchise contract, license, or permit for solid waste handling services entered into or substantially amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024, and would require these provisions to apply in the event of service being disrupted by a work stoppage associated with a labor dispute.
By imposing new duties on local governments with respect to the franchise contracts, licenses, or permits for solid waste handling services, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 53064.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:

53064.3.
 (a) To promote the public health, safety, and well-being, a franchise contract, license, or permit for solid waste handling services entered into or substantially amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024, shall not contain a force majeure provision that excuses the service provider from complying with the franchise contract, license, or permit for solid waste handling services in the event of a work stoppage associated with a labor dispute.
(b) The following provisions shall be included in any franchise contract, license, or permit for solid waste handling services entered into or substantially amended by a local agency on or after January 1, 2024, and shall apply in the event of service being disrupted by a work stoppage associated with a labor dispute:
(1) A process by which the franchisee shall provide advance or concurrent notice of service being disrupted.
(2) A process that allows a customer to file a service complaint with the franchisee and a timeframe within which the franchisee shall respond to complaints.
(3) A process for customers to request and receive refunds or credits for services not received.
(4) A remedy that allows the local agency to take administrative action to enforce the franchisee’s failure to comply with the franchise contract, license, or permit for solid waste handling services.
(c) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Solid waste handling services” has the same meaning as “solid waste handling” as defined in Section 40195 of the Public Resources Code.
(2) “Substantially amended” means a mutually agreed upon change to a majority of the material terms of a franchise agreement, license, or permit for solid waste handling services.
(3) “Labor dispute” has the same meaning as defined in clause (iii) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 527.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

SEC. 2.

 The Legislature finds and declares that protecting solid waste handling services for California residents during a labor dispute is a matter of statewide concern and is not a municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution. Therefore, Section 1 of this act adding Section 53064.3 to the Government Code applies to all cities, including charter cities.

SEC. 3.

  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
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