A weekly roundup of business-related bills, upcoming...

A weekly roundup of business-related bills, upcoming legislative issues, regulatory news and other developments of local interest.

PREVIEW: 8-Hour Day in the Sun

The flurry of lobbying that helped persuade a state labor panel last month to vote to scrap California’s eight-hour-day standard for overtime pay is now being directed at the Legislature.

Never mind that the target, a bill by Los Angeles Democrat Wally Knox to uphold the eight-hour overtime law, has zero chance of being signed by the governor. Business groups want to kill the bill long before it hits the governor’s desk and spurs a high-drama showdown with those who support the eight-hour overtime rule. The new rules, approved in a preliminary vote by the labor panel, would require overtime pay only after an employee has worked 40 hours in a week.

“This legislative bill, AB 15, will supersede any decision the Industrial Welfare Commission might make,� the Coalition of Apparel Industries warned its members in a recent letter. Included in the letter were five pre-addressed postcards to Knox opposing his bill. Apparel manufacturers were instructed to “get at least five of your employees to sign these cards and mail them.�

Knox says his “compromise� legislation, scheduled for a March 5 hearing in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, allows for some workweek flexibility provided there is employee consent.

CALENDAR

The Legislature takes its show on the road today, holding two business-related hearings, one in Los Angeles and the other in Orange County.

* Minority and women-owned businesses

The Assembly Transportation Committee will explore whether Caltrans is living up to laws regulating contracts with minority and women-owned businesses. The meeting takes place at the following time and location:

Today, 9 a.m.

State Office Building auditorium

300 S. Spring St.

Los Angeles

* Cosmetology

The Senate’s Business and Professions Committee will hold a public hearing on deregulation and other issues in the cosmetology industry. The meeting takes place at the following time and location:

Today, 9:30 a.m.

Hall of Administration

10 Civic Center Plaza

Santa Ana

HOT BILLS: Jobless Benefits Bill

* Unemployment Benefits (SB 233)

Would extend unemployment benefits to employees who leave their jobs because of an inability to find child care or because they are frequently asked to work more than eight hours a day. The bill is sponsored by the California Labor Federation and opposed by business interests, including the California Chamber of Commerce.

Author: Hilda Solis (D-El Monte)

* Unemployment Tax Hike (SB 202)

Would hike the unemployment insurance taxes on businesses by increasing to $20,000 from $7,000 the taxable wages for each employee. The bill is sponsored by the California Labor Federation and is opposed by business interests.

Author: Hilda Solis (D-El Monte)

* Hospital Stays (AB 269)

Would prohibit hospitals and nursing homes from discharging patients until they have determined that the patient can receive appropriate care in their home or community. Sponsors include the United Nurses Assn. of California. Opposition is likely from hospitals and HMOs.

Author: Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento)