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“For the most part, contractors do carry workers’ compensation insurance but too often, they do not,” Sen. Bill Dodd said. “My bill will eliminate barriers to coverage so we can protect those employees who might be injured on the job.”
In California, there are about 230,000 licensed contractors in 44 different areas, from general building and engineering to electricians, plumbers and landscapers.
About 55 percent claim they have no employees, making them exempt from a requirement to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
However, research and enforcement from the Contractors State Licensing Board suggests many of these claims are false, creating a widespread problem leaving workers unprotected.
Senate Bill 216 would require all concrete, heating and air conditioning and tree service contractors to carry the insurance, regardless of whether they claim employees or not. Further, it would require that by 2025, all licensed contractors in the state carry workers’ compensation insurance.
SB 216, which is sponsored by the Contractors State License Board, was approved by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development committee. It heads next to Appropriations.
Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.
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California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said the organization is committed to work for passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, reintroduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, and Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.
“We were early supporters of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act when it was originally introduced in 2019, and we’re pleased to see its reintroduction,” Johansson said. “Reform of federal immigration law continues to be a top priority for the California Farm Bureau, and this bill would create meaningful changes that would ease chronic employee shortages and recognize the value of farm work.”
The original bill won passage from the House of Representatives in late 2019, based in part on the support of more than 300 agricultural groups and companies.
“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act earned bipartisan support at that time by addressing both current and future needs for agricultural employers and employees,” Johansson said. “Its reintroduction will stimulate ongoing discussions about immigration policy. Its passage would improve agricultural visa programs and accommodate immigrant agricultural employees already in the United States, while enhancing border security.”
Johansson said the bill’s reintroduction comes at a particularly important time, as farmers and their employees maintain agricultural production during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Long before the pandemic, we recognized the people who work on California farms and ranches as essential to reliable supplies of healthy food and farm products. The pandemic has only underscored the importance of assuring the people who work on farms and ranches can do so with the security of legal immigration status,” he said.
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 32,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.
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The board will also hear updates on California farmers’ markets and have a presentation on California’s Master Plan For Aging, which includes priorities to address hunger and nutritional needs of older Californians.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. via GoToWebinar.
Meeting link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7250741937101739276.
Webinar ID: 629-625-083.
“California’s farmers and ranchers are an invaluable part of food and nutritional assistance programs,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “There are many opportunities for engagement and great work is being done at the local level to improve access and support communities and individuals in need.”
Invited speakers include Director Kim McCoy Wade, California Department of Aging; Stacia Levenfeld and Maria Houlne, California Association of Food Banks; Steve Brazeel, SunTerra Produce; Stephen Gutwillig, Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles; Sarah Hansen and Nicholas Anicich, CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork; Paul Towers, Community Alliance with Family Farmers; and Allen Moy, Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association.
“Over the last year, we have seen an evolution in the connection between growers and food banks, food pantries and faith-based organizations,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “As a result, I believe the agricultural community is valuing food donations as an integral part of business operations.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.
The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
This meeting will have simultaneous audio translation in Spanish and can be accessed at 844- 460-0074 at the start of the meeting.
Follow the board on twitter at www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.
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The contributions went to organizations that provide assistance for at-risk or underserved communities and local first responders.
The Dillon Beach Emergency Response Team, Northshore Fire Protection District, Friends of Guerneville School and People Services Inc. are among last year’s recipients.
Additionally, to help alleviate some of the financial strain for customers who lost their jobs or were otherwise hard hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic, the company forgave a portion of past-due water bill balances for those who fell behind because of the pandemic.
The contributions and bill assistance are part of the utility’s philanthropic giving program and do not affect customers’ water bills.
“With so much financial hardship in our community last year, we wanted to focus our giving on organizations that could best support our customers and neighbors,” said District Manager Evan Markey. “California Water Service is thoroughly committed to delivering quality, service, and value to our communities, and it is a privilege to be able to give back every year in this way.”
Cal Water serves about 3,600 people through 1,900 service connections in Lucerne and parts of Duncans Mills, Guerneville, Dillon Beach, Noel Heights and Santa Rosa. The utility has provided water service in the area since 2000.
Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com.
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