By Will Brandt
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the California Chamber of Commerce to oppose AB 1776 (Aguiar-Curry). Standing with dozens of local chambers and business organizations from across the state, the coalition statement argued that AB 1776 would decimate the “state’s innovation economy and jobs that depend upon its success” if enacted.
At its core, AB 1776 would fundamentally change the antitrust regulatory environment in California by fundamentally changing 130 years of Federal antitrust laws by amending California’s Cartwright Act. By expanding definitions of unlawful single-firm conduct in the law, AB 1776 threatens normal business practices like below-cost pricing and rewards programs. With these proposed changes to Californian law, this bill would further open the gates of predatory lawsuits by erasing Federal precedent and imposing confusing, costly guidelines to businesses already struggling in the state’s legal/regulatory environment.
The Torrance Chamber is proud to stand with the business community and local chambers across California in opposition to this bill. The Chamber’s ongoing advocacy efforts are in service of protecting local businesses against overarching state mandates that drastically affect the cost of doing business, maintenance of normal business operations, and service to their customers. Additionally, while California faces a deteriorating affordability crisis, this legislation targets the very practices and programs designed to ease pricing pressures on consumers.
Since the first coalition letter with the California Chamber of Commerce, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce has closely followed AB 1776 through its passage in the state assembly and its current debates in the Senate. By signing onto two more additional opposition letters, the Torrance Chamber is committed to keeping our membership up to date on amendments through monthly Government Affairs meetings and newsletters. For more information on the Chamber’s advocacy efforts and our fight against AB 1776, visit our website to view our Advocacy Agenda and the Advocacy Report Card for up an up to date look into our Government Affairs Program.