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The lobbying database we launched last week already has received a fantastic response – in part, no doubt, because it allows you, the readers, to take a peek behind the curtain of legislative influence to see what bills are important to special interest groups.
Inevitably, those interest groups care more about some bills than others, which is why we’re taking a look at the five most-lobbied bill issues so far this session – and what has become of them:
SB 77/AB 101: Eliminating local redevelopment agencies
What is it? SB 77 and AB 101 were two prominent bills introduced last spring that would have (among other things) done away with local redevelopment agencies, drawing from a strategy set forth by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this year to help the state balance its books.
Who lobbied? SB 77 and AB 101 both provide fantastic examples of the power local governments can bring to bear in the lobbying game. In all, SB 77 was listed on 215 lobbying reports this year, nearly all of which were from local governments or associated trade groups, which were fighting hard against its passage. AB 101 landed on 162 reports of its own, primarily from the same local government groups.
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What happened? The bill fell just short of the two-thirds majority required to pass back in March. Lawmakers later approved a measure that would have eliminated the agencies anyway, but local governments have sued to block it from taking effect.
SB 69/SB 87/other budget bills: Budget
What is it? Taken as a whole, the state budget and its many different elements was by far the most-lobbied issue this year, as Brown and the Legislature grappled with closing a $28 billion gap that still isn’t entirely closed.
Who lobbied? Hundreds of groups with a stake in state government revenues, but primarily local governments, education groups and health care advocates.
What happened? It’s hard to say who, if anyone, came out the winner in this year’s budget fight. Brown and the Legislature cut services across the board, and more cuts may be in store.
AB 52: Insurance rate regulation
What is it? AB 52 is a controversial bill that would give the state broad authority in determining health insurance rates.
Who lobbied? As you might imagine, insurance groups did not take kindly to the suggestion that the state become more involved in their business. They lobbied heavily against the bill. The supporting side was led by consumer and public health advocates.
What happened? The author of the measure, Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, announced last week that he would postpone the measure until next year, with the hope of rallying more support for its passage in the Senate.
AB 400: Sick leave accrual
What is it? This bill, proposed by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, would require California businesses to provide paid sick leave to their workers. Ma’s home city of San Francisco enacted a similar requirement via ordinance in 2007.
Who lobbied? At least 144 lobbying reports this year have listed AB 400 as among their lobbied bills, including small-business groups, trade unions and large companies from Lockheed Martin to Caterpillar. Opposition was driven largely by business groups, while support came from unions.
What happened? The bill has been stalled in committee since late May. No recorded action has taken place since.
AB 22: Employer credit checks
What is it? This bill would ban credit checks from being used in the screening process for most job candidates. It is sponsored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Norwalk, who had carried similar bills in past sessions only to see them vetoed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Who lobbied? Like AB 400, AB 22 also showed up on 144 lobbying reports. Its supporters include labor groups and trial lawyers. Its opponents include business groups and credit check companies like Experian.
What happened? The bill was still moving through the Senate last week after passing out of committee in mid-August.
A list of other heavily lobbied bills can be found below. As for the lobbying tracker itself, we’re already hard at work adding features suggested by many readers who wrote in with feedback.
Among the things we have planned: more search options, including bill subject, lawmaker and lobbying organization; more information about the bills themselves; highlighted information on key bills; and more. We’re also planning to make the data available to other organizations, including our media partners, as we get it a little more refined.
These features and others will be rolling out over the next few months, with the idea of making the database as robust as possible before the beginning of next year’s session. If you have any other suggestions, please let us know.
Most-lobbied bills through July 2011:
| BILL | SUBJECT | NUMBER OF REPORTS LISTED |
|---|---|---|
| SB 77 | Community redevelopment | 215 |
| SB 69 | Budget | 191 |
| SB 87 | Budget | 171 |
| AB 101 | Health and human services budget, redevelopment | 162 |
| AB 52 | Health care coverage: rate approval | 144 |
| AB 400 | Employment: paid sick days | 144 |
| AB 22 | Employment: credit reports | 144 |
| SB 116 | Income taxes: hiring credit, single sales factor | 140 |
| SB 70 | Budget: education finance | 135 |
| SB 653 | Local taxation | 131 |
| AB 36 | Income and employment taxes: federal health care conformity | 125 |
| AB 153 | State Board of Equalization: administration | 121 |
| AB 10 | Minimum wage: annual adjustment | 119 |
| AB 19 | Building standards: water meters, multiunit structures | 119 |
| AB 506 | Local government: bankruptcy | 118 |
| SB 810 | Single-payer health care coverage | 116 |
| SB 286 | Redevelopment | 111 |
| SB 450 | Redevelopment | 111 |
| AB 1250 | Redevelopment | 107 |
| AB 108 | Budget: education | 105 |
| SB 670 | Occupancy taxes | 102 |
| AB 59 | Family and medical leave | 100 |
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