In a major turn of events, California Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) has decided not to advance AB 2741, a bill that would have imposed new rules on employers and staffing agencies that place contracted workers in the state, and has amended the bill to remove all references to staffing, including conversion fees. The California State Assembly’s committee on labor and employment has confirmed that the bill has been “gutted” and pulled from the agenda. The amendments are expected to be in print April 2.
AB 2741, which was introduced last month, would have imposed major new obligations and costs on staffing firms and clients that would have adversely affected jobs. ASA and California Staffing Professionals, an ASA-affiliated chapter—led by longtime ASA lobbyist Mike Robson and his colleague Jason Ikerd— mounted a comprehensive statewide lobbying campaign aimed at demonstrating that the bill was unnecessary and would do far more harm than good.
In meetings with Haney’s staff and in correspondence with lawmakers throughout the state, staffing agencies pointed out, among other things, that the industry has a strong record of transitioning temporary workers into permanent jobs and thus there was no need to impose costly mandates on agencies and clients to compel them to do what is already being done. Although the bill will no longer affect staffing, Haney told Robson that he would be happy to meet with staffing agencies to learn more about the industry and its role.
ASA applauds Haney for his willingness to listen to staffing agency concerns and to learn more about the industry and its contributions to workers and the California economy. ASA urges member companies, especially those doing business in his district, to contact Haney to express their appreciation. Members can contact his office at a17.asmdc.org.
ASA and CSP, along with their representatives and member companies, will continue their efforts to provide information, serve as a resource, and foster positive relationships with political leaders like Haney and other legislators throughout California.
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