CRA Member Newsletter
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August 05, 2022 | CRA Newsletter: Legislative, Political & Regulatory Updates
Message from the President
Happy end of the California Legislative session! We are now in the sprint to the finish of the legislature adjourning at the end of the month. Next week we will know the fate of several bills as the Assembly and Senate Appropriations committees have their suspense hearing where we are hoping some of the bills we are opposing will be held. After that, we will know what we are dealing with as we have the final two weeks of floor session.

Some things we are watching – the B2B agreement in CCPA. As you may recall, that is set to sunset, and we are working with the greater business coalition on that issue. SB 693 will be the vehicle, but look for that bill to go to the end of the wire. We are also tracking bills related to privacy in relation to children on the internet, an embedded battery bill and a retail packaging bill.

On the positive side, we are cautiously optimistic that the Assembly will pass, and the Governor will sign, SB 301, which is the California version of the federal INFORM Consumers Act. This bill has moved through the process with ZERO opposition and ZERO no votes. I am proud of the CRA team on managing this issue and look forward to providing California retailers another tool in the tool box when it comes to combatting retail theft.

Speaking of retail theft and ORC, I am thrilled to report CRA was able to secure our ENTIRE ask in terms of funding for ORC. This was a HUGE lift, given the ORC Taskforces were in jeopardy of being eliminated completely just a year ago. CRA secured permanent funding for the ORC Taskforces, increased the number of task forces from three to five, secured funding for dedicated ORC prosecutors for each task force and established local law enforcement grants for retail theft. Some thought it could not happen, but due to the support and engagement of our asset protection professionals from our member companies, we were able to get it over the finish line!

That leads me to encourage you to join CRA for two exciting events this fall – our 2022 Annual Meeting in Sonoma, California and the California Organized Retail Crime Association Conference in Ontario, California. As you may recall, CRA has taken over the management of Cal-ORCA and we are thrilled to grow that association into the premier ORC Association training and connecting retailers, law enforcement and policy leaders across the state. As a member of CRA, you are automatically a member of Cal-ORCA and I hope you will take advantage of that. If you have questions or would like to receive more information, please reach out.

Finally, in the next few weeks I will be sharing more information regarding PAGA (Private Attorney Generals Act) – I know this is a thorn in the side for many members and CRA is taking a leadership role in supporting the PAGA initiative that will be on the 2024 general election ballot in California. This will be our best opportunity to impact PAGA and provide some relief – not only to employers, but to employees who rarely see the bulk of these settlements. More information to come, but I am hoping the retail community, and CRA members, will rally and financially support the initiative.

As always, if you have any questions or need additional information do not hesitate to reach out, especially during this busy legislative time.

Rachel
California End of Legislature Update
The Legislature reconvened for a final month-long flurry of activity prior to the midnight August 31st deadline to pass bills onto the Governor’s Desk. Among the many hundreds of bills still moving are nearly 100 measures that CRA continues to lobby or monitor with impacts to the retail community.   

Prior to the Legislative recess on June 30th, there were several positive developments for retailers. Among the most notable was the Governor's signature on a final State Budget on June 27th which included all of CRA’s requested funds for Organized Retail Crime- funding we were able to secure for for the next three Budget years for ORC, including: 

  • Expanding and making permanent the CHP’s ORC Task Force
  • Creation of a special unit at the Department of Justice for retail theft
  • $10 million annually in local grants for dedicated ORC prosecutors
  • $85 million annually in local law enforcement grants for ORC-related expenditures

This is a huge win for the retail industry in California. But it is now incumbent upon us to assist in implementation and to provide data and feedback to the Administration on the impact of these funds in mitigating ORC in the state. 

Prior to the Recess, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 54 (Allen) creating a comprehensive product package recycling regime, which will bolster recycling infrastructure while mandating recycling rates for plastic packaging materials of up to 65% by 2032 along with source reduction mandates. With the enactment of SB 54, sponsors agreed to pull the initiative from the November ballot that would have imposed a tax of up to $.01 on all plastic packaging and foodware items. By the end of session, and in an act of good faith to encourage the proponents to remove the initiative from the 2022 ballot, CRA took a “Neutral” position on SB 54, and we were pleased that change led to avoiding an expensive ballot campaign. We are hopeful the Legislature will utilize the broad negotiations that went into SB 54 as an opportunity to pull AB 2026 (Friedman), a CRA-opposed measure, which now could set different requirements for the subset of plastic and polystyrene packaging related to online retail deliveries – materials that are covered under SB 54. 

The final week in June we saw the demise of CRA-opposed AB 2840 (Reyes), which would have imposed significant new obstacles in siting warehouses in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Assemblymember Reyes, the Assembly’s Majority Floor Leader, pulled the measure from committee for lack of support, but has promised to return to this issue next year. This bill had the potential to worsen supply-chain congestion in California with warehouses already at capacity and ports still overwhelmed by goods shipments. 

Moving forward in the final month, CRA is eyeing dozens of remaining measures in the respective fiscal committees and on the floors of each house, in particular:

Assembly Appropriations Committee

  • Senate Bill 301 (Skinner) would establish an online marketplace transparency law in the largest state in the Union, hopefully providing further impetus for Congress to act on the federal level. The bill is in Assembly Appropriations Committee and CRA is in strong support.
  • SB 1215 (Newman) would add battery-embedded products to the state’s Electronic Waste (e-waste) program. CRA is actively supporting this measure based on agreement with the author and sponsors of AB 2440 (Irwin) to remove battery-embedded products from that bill. That bill would require stores to take back all battery products including battery-embedded products. 
  • SB 1162 (Limon) would require specified statistical data on employee pay to be reported and published by company, as well as require pay ranges for open positions to be advertised on third-party job listings. CRA continues to participate in coalition efforts to stop this measure as it would open all employers to significant potential liability and reputation damage based on statistics that are not necessarily indicative of discrimination or “pay equity” issues.  

Senate Appropriations

  • As mentioned above, CRA continues to oppose AB 2026 (Friedman) based on its impact to shipments to online customers and particularly the lack of viable alternatives to polystyrene and other materials in shipping fragile and/or valuable items.
  • CRA will remain Opposed Unless Amended on AB 2440 (Irwin) until battery-embedded products are removed from its proposed retailer take-back program.
  • CRA has substantial concerns with the latest draft of AB 2273 (Wicks), an internet privacy/content bill related to minors that is aimed primarily at social media, video games and other online apps, but would include online retail within its broadly written provisions. We are working with the author, sponsors and the Legislature to include amendments that would limit its impacts on retailers.  

Senate Floor

CRA is still Oppose Unless Amended on AB 1817 (Ting), which would ban the sale of most textile goods containing PFAS chemicals by January 1, 2025. While recent amendments improved the bill somewhat, CRA remains concerned that the 1/1/25 deadline is unrealistic and lacks an adequate sell-through period, that the “certificates of compliance” requirement creates new liability for retailers for noncompliant products and that the standards for PFAS detection beyond 1/1/27 are arbitrary and may be unachievable.  

CRA continues to work in conjunction with the California Trucking Association in strong support of AB 2406 (Aguiar-Curry), which would update a statute that prohibits ocean carriers from assessing Detention and Demurrage charges on cargo owners and shippers for failure to pick up or return shipping containers when port congestion does not physically permit them to do so.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Additional Legislative & Political Updates
Transportation Electrification 

The amendments we requested for AB 2700 (McCarty) were accepted and implemented on June 30. We submitted a removal of opposition letter to the author’s office notifying them of our change in position.
Upcoming Key Legislative and Political Dates

  • August 31 Adjournment
  • September 30 Last day for Governor to Sign or Veto Bills.
Boudin Bows Out

Former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced he would not run to wrest back the seat he lost in a June recall election, averting a second bruising clash over criminal justice.
Ballot Measures, Candidates and Election Day Updates

The $18 minimum wage initiative that failed to become eligible prior to the June 30th deadline unsuccessfully sued the Secretary of State, but will remain eligible for 2024.

Ballot arguments and rebuttals have officially been submitted for each of the propositions headed to the November 2022 ballot, meaning campaigns will begin shifting focus to voter contact. All of the information to be displayed in the official Voter Information Guide can be found here.

Click here to see a summary of all the initiatives and their status.

Click here to read more including additional information on the seven initiatives that qualified for this year's November ballot and received proposition numbers.
Regulatory Updates
Cost of CCPA to Retail Industry
 
The California Privacy Protection Agency (Agency) is in the process of adopting rules to implement the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) (Prop. 24, 2020), which amended the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA). CRA is in the final process of our comment letter, but a new issue has been brought to the team's attention that could have a significant impact on the retail industry.

As part of this rulemaking, the Agency provided a Statement of Economic and Fiscal Impact (READ HERE), which includes some assertions that are, at best, arguable (emphasis added):

  • The number of small businesses impacted: 43,843.
  • Types of jobs/occupations impacted: “We do not expect any jobs to be created or eliminated. The proposed regulation is expected to increase labor hours required for CCPA compliance by 1.5 hours each for 66,076 businesses.”
  • Estimated costs:
  • Total statewide dollar costs that businesses and individuals may incur to comply with this regulation over its lifetime: $8,424,690.
  • Initial costs for a small business: $128
  • Initial costs for a typical business: $128.
 
We need to provide accurate financial information to the Privacy Agency for this rulemaking to demonstrate that the compliance costs will undoubtedly be more than the estimated $128 initial cost for an hour-and-a-half of work. Accordingly, we are asking for CRA member assistance to develop a quick estimate of what our member companies' compliance costs will be. We will not disclose any individual company information to the Agency or to any other company, we are looking to aggregate the costs to give a clear picture of the economic impact on the California retail industry as a whole. Please forward Rachel this information directly via email HERE.

  • Please respond by 5 pm (PDT), Tuesday August 9th with your compliance teams’ projected estimates on the cost/time that would be involved with such compliance efforts (see below for the new requirements). Specifically, we are looking for the following: 

  • Number of hours to comply with new regulations.
  • Cost to comply with new regulations:
  • Initial Cost
  • Annual Cost (including dollar costs to do programming, record keeping, reporting and other paperwork, whether or not the paperwork must be submitted)
  • The number of additional personnel required for compliance, if any.
 
If helpful in calculating your estimate, the specific changes to the CCPA covered in the new regulations include for example:

  • A new right to opt out of the sharing of personal information regardless of any monetary or valuable consideration, whereas the CCPA provided an opt out right from the “sale” of personal information.
  • A new right of correction.
  • A new right to limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information.
  • Requirements around cybersecurity audits and Agency audits.
  • New obligations around processing requests made by way of opt out preference signals (global opt out).
  • Significant changes to provisions governing service providers and third parties, and obligations of businesses with respect to those providers/parties.
  • Additional, extensive disclosure requirements for privacy policies/notices to consumers of their various rights. 
 
Members can find a copy of the draft regulations by clicking HERE. Additional materials on the regulation are also available, HERE.
 
We thank our members in advance for their valuable assistance as CRA tries to educate the Agency on the reality of compliance for these regulations. 

Please feel free to contact Rachel if more information is needed or with questions by emailing her directly HERE.
CalOSHA COVID-19 Workplace Regulation
Cal-OSHA has released the draft COVID-19 “Non-Emergency” Regulation for a 45-day comment period. Comments are due by September 15, 2022. The Cal-OSHA Standards Board is preparing to approve the regulation at their December Board meeting and it would become effective January 1, 2023, upon expiration of the current ETS.

More information on the proceeding is available here: COVID-19 Prevention - Non-Emergency Regulation (ca.gov)

We are asking our member companies to review the draft regulation and provide us with any feedback no later than COB Friday, September 2.

Notable provisions include:
  • The regulation sunsets two years after its effective date – presumably January 1, 2025.
  • In contrast to the current and previous temporary standards, the permanent regulation does not include a requirement for “exclusion pay” for workers who are exposed to or come down with COVID-19.   
  • The draft adopts the Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) new and unique definition of “close contact” to include employees who are “sharing the same indoor space” for a cumulative period of 15 minutes or more in a day, regardless of the use of face coverings (more on this below). It does allow an exception where employees are wearing respirator masks.
  • Provides that a COVID-19 self-test may be both self-administered and self-read only if another means of independent verification can be provided.
  • Requires masking of employees only upon an order or regulation of CDPH.
  • Requires employers to provide respirators for voluntary use to any employee requesting one who works indoors or in vehicles with multiple people. 

On the updated definition of “close contact”, CalOSHA has issued a new FAQ that outlines their expectations with regard to defining employees who may have been exposed that appears to provide some flexibility to employers. The 6-foot limitation has been done away with, and employers are left to evaluate whether workers in large indoor spaces have been exposed based on undefined proximity and duration standards. The FAQ explicitly says the employer is to determine “on a case-by-case basis” whether individuals or groups of workers have been exposed. The FAQ is below:

Q: CDPH has revised its definition of "close contact," and this new definition applies to the ETS because it is included in a state public health officer order. A "close contact" is now "someone sharing the same indoor airspace, e.g., home, clinic waiting room, airplane etc., for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during an infected person's (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) infectious period."

What is a shared indoor airspace in the context of the ETS, and how should an employer determine who has had a close contact?

A: Consistent with CDPH guidance on identifying close contacts, a shared indoor airspace may be analyzed in several ways. Smaller spaces contained within a large indoor space that are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls are not part of the same indoor airspace as the large indoor space. These smaller spaces may include suites, rooms, waiting areas, bathrooms, or break or eating areas. In these settings, an employer would determine close contacts by evaluating which employees shared that smaller space with a COVID-19 case for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

Larger indoor settings that are not divided into smaller spaces that are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls may constitute a shared indoor airspace. These settings may include open-floor-plan offices, warehouses, retail stores, or manufacturing or food-processing facilities. In those cases, employers must evaluate whether employees shared the same indoor airspace on a case-by-case basis, considering the duration and proximity of the contact, regardless of the specific task of the employees. For example, there may be a close contact between employees in an open-floor-plan plant even though the two persons worked on separate machines, one as a maintenance worker and one as a packer on an adjacent line. Proximity and length of exposure are key to this determination.

There may be both large indoor spaces as well as smaller spaces within them. Employers with both large indoor spaces and smaller indoor spaces within the large indoor spaces must evaluate close contacts in both types of spaces. For example, in an open-floor-plan office or warehouse (large indoor space) with a bathroom and break area (smaller spaces), the employer must evaluate both types of spaces to determine who had a close contact.
Proposed Rulemaking Regarding 
Automated Decision Systems (ADS)

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing shared an update on proposed rulemaking regarding Automated Decision Systems (ADS) and an update from the algorithms and bias subcommittee. 

There will be a hearing on August 10th on this subject matter. CRA will monitor and if appropriate submit written comments which are due on the same day, August 10th. 

There are a series of attachments below for reference, but attachment G is the specific language related to the ADS regulations.

Attachments:


While solely within the employment context, this definition is critical as it will be the first definition of automated-decision system in California - there have been several failed attempts in the past few years to codify and define ADS in the legislature. 

DFEH's definition for ADS is as follows:

(d) “Automated-Decision System.” A computational process, including one derived from machine-learning, statistics, or other data processing or artificial intelligence techniques, that screens, evaluates, categorizes, recommends, or otherwise makes a decision or facilitates human decision making that impacts employees or applicants. 

(1) Employers may use Automated-Decision Systems to perform tasks including, but not limited to, the following: 

(A) Directing job advertisements or other recruiting materials to targeted groups;

(B) Screening resumes for particular terms or patterns; 

(C) Analyzing facial expressions, word choices, and voices in online interviews;

(D) Through the use of computer-based tests that include questions, puzzles, games, or other challenges, making predictive assessments about an employee or applicant, or measuring skills, abilities, and/or other characteristics including but not limited to dexterity, reaction-time, or other physical or mental abilities or characteristics; and/or 

(E) Through the use of tests or questionnaires measuring personality traits, aptitudes, cognitive abilities, and/or cultural fit.

(2) “Algorithm” means a process or set of rules or instructions, typically used by a computer, to make a calculation, solve a problem, or render a decision.

(A) In the employment context, human resources software and applications use algorithms to allow employers process data to evaluate, rate, and make other decisions about job applicants and employees.

(B) Software or applications that include algorithmic decision-making tools may be used at various stages of employment, including hiring, performance evaluation, promotion, and termination.

(i) “Software” means information technology programs or procedures that provide instructions to a computer on how to perform a given task or function.

(ii) “Application” means a type of software designed to perform or to help the user perform a specific task or tasks.

As always, if members have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to reach out.
NO LA County Indoor Mask Mandate

The Los Angeles County Public Health Officer announced there will NOT be a mask mandate order for LA County.

Prior to this announcement CRA submitted a letter to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Read the letter here.

Please reach out with questions or if additional information is needed.
Final AB 5 Coalition Letter to Governor

CRA joined a coalition of over 70 business organizations in sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging his Administration to forge a reasonable compromise on AB 5 for the trucking industry following the Supreme Court's denial of their petition for certiorari in California Trucking Association v. Bonta. The decision has left the future of California’s nearly 70,000 independent truckers in doubt and is among the greatest threats the State’s supply chain has faced to date. 

Read the letter here.
Los Angeles County Commercial Solid Waste Collection Services

Los Angeles County Public Works will be scheduling virtual meetings to go over upcoming changes to commercial solid waste collection services in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. If any CRA member companies are interested in attending one of these meetings, please send an email to cra@calretailers.com.
2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan

CRA joined the California Building Industry Association (“CBIA”) in submitting comments on the Natural and Working Lands Scenarios (“Scenarios”).

Read the comments here.
Temporary Allowance to Use Video Footage to Help Deter, Investigate and Solve Crimes in San Francisco

The Mayor of San Francisco reached out to CRA asking for our support of her sponsored legislation to give law enforcement limited, temporary authority to use video footage to help deter, investigate and solve crimes. We were happy to support as we viewed this as another tool in the toolbox for retailers and law enforcement to combat retail theft in San Francisco. 

Read our letter HERE.

Read the legislation HERE.  

Read the background document HERE.
Cal-OSHA “Lead Rule” Being Revived
 
Cal-OSHA is expected to revive its efforts to update lead exposure limits for construction and general industry, after a pause of nearly six years. The draft proposal for general industry is here. Industry groups are concerned that the substantially lower standard proposed will bring many more employees within scope. Particularly if your business deals with auto parts/auto repair, this standard may affect you. 
 
Please contact Steve with any questions or comments.
Grants Up to $2K Available to Eligible Businesses with Employees on Paid Family Leave
Online application is open
 
California’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, which the Employment Development Department administers (EDD), provides eligible employees with up to 8 weeks of wage replacement benefits when an employee is off work for certain qualifying reasons.
 
Businesses with employees using PFL may have increased costs such as cross-training existing staff and hiring and training new and/or temporary employees to cover for employees on leave. This may be particularly true for small employers. The California Employment Training Panel and California Labor and Workforce Development Agency funded a grant program for small employers to assist with these issues.
 
Small businesses in California with 1 to 100 employees who have at least one employee utilizing PFL on or after June 1, 2022, may be eligible. Also, to qualify for the grant, businesses must:
 
  • Be registered to do business in the State of California
  • Be in an active status with the California Secretary of State’s Office
  • Have an active California Employer Account Number under which employees are listed for payroll.
 
Small businesses using a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) for payroll services are not eligible for the grant.
 
Employers interested in applying for the grant can apply through the grant website: Californiapfl.com.
Chain Drug Updates
Board of Pharmacy
 
Licensure Delays
CRA submitted a joint letter (READ HERE) with NACDS to the Board of Pharmacy expressing concerns with recent delays in approvals of licenses and permits by the Board of Pharmacy. 

We continue to advocate on this issue and will keep you apprised of any new developments. 
  
Inventory Reconciliation Regulation
The Office of Administrative Law has approved rulemaking to amend Division 17 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations, section 1715.65, related to Inventory Activities and Inventory Reconciliation Reports of Controlled Substances. 

The amended regulation is effective January 1, 2023.

The Order of Adoption with the approved text for this amended regulation can be found under Approved Regulations on the Board of Pharmacy’s website, www.pharmacy.ca.gov.

July 27-28 Board Meetings
The Board posted the meeting materials for the July 27-28, 2022, Teleconference Board Meeting. The board meeting is remote only. 

The agenda can be found here and the meeting materials can be found here. 
 
MEDI-CAL Rx
 
Multi Factor Authentication/Single Sign On Solutions
DHCS held a call on the next steps/approach for the Multi Factor Authentication/Single Sign On solutions for Medi-Cal Rx. You can access the slide deck from that meeting HERE.
 
Background:
Prior to Medi-Cal Rx Go-Live, DHCS reviewed and granted an exception to the Medi-Cal Rx Multifactor Authentication Policy to those pharmacies that submitted an application requesting an exception. 

The date this exception expires is 12/31/2022. 

DHCS would like to engage with pharmacies to discuss a solution that will meet the policy. 
 
Update on Phase 1, Wave 3 - Reinstatement of PAs for 11 Drug Classes
A new update regarding Implementation of Phase I, Wave III – Reinstatement of Prior Authorizations for 11 Drug Classes, has been posted to the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal on 7/26/2022. Click here to view. 
 
SB 212 - DRUG/SHARPS TAKE-BACK
CRA sent a letter to CalRecycle last week (READ HERE), co-signed by the CA Pharmacists Association, registering our concerns with CalRecycle’s stance that all pharmacies are required to distribute sharps take-back containers at point of sale (vs. mail-back). 

We continue to advocate to ensure sharps mail-back is permitted, consistent with the intent of SB 212. 

Waiver Allowing Pharmacists to Independently Administer Paxlovid
The Department of Consumer Affairs issued a waiver allowing pharmacists to independently initiate and furnish Paxlovid, subject to specified conditions. Please click here for details.

Board of Pharmacy Appointee
The Governor appointed Renee Armendariz Barker to the Board of Pharmacy as the new compounding pharmacist member. Jig Patel was reappointed to the Board as the chain pharmacist member, taking Debbie Veale’s slot (Jig formerly held a general licensee slot). There are two remaining vacancies on the board - the long-term care slot and the public member slot, replacing Shirley Kim whose term just expired and was not renewed. 

Amended Pharmacy Law Waivers
In light of Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration of emergency and the national declaration of emergency, and consistent with Business and Professions Code section 4062, California State Board of Pharmacy President Seung Oh has amended the expiration dates of the following waivers of specific provisions of Pharmacy Law:


  • Mass Vaccination Sites – The amended expiration date is December 31, 2022, or until 30 days following the declared disaster, whichever is sooner.


These waivers and all Pharmacy Law waivers are posted under COVID-19 Updates and Resources on the Board's website, www.pharmacy.ca.gov.
CRA In The News
In Case You Missed It...

California Retailers Association President and CEO Rachel Michelin co-authored an op-ed in The Mercury News along with the California Business Roundtable and California Trucking Association urging California Governor Gavin Newsom's administration to work with the associations and over 70 other organizations including manufacturers, agricultural associations and local entities to recognize the vital role independent truckers play in the state's supply chain & economy.

"We need the Governor to lead on this issue that not only impacts California, but the entire nation."

"We need to find a workable solution that protects workers from misclassification without eliminating the owner-operator model from the trucking industry."

Additional news coverage:

Trade groups now “neutral” on California bill targeting weight loss supplements
Natural Products Insider


Former California State Senator Bob Dutton Dies at 71
California Globe

Target and Walgreens Are Making Drastic Changes Amid Skyrocketing Shoplifting in San Francisco
Foundation for Economic Education


California workers found better paying jobs, but experts warn recession puts them at risk
CalMatters

Retailers: Decisive vote to recall SF District Attorney reflects voter concerns on crime and safety
Northern California Record

Inside the fight to force makers of plastic trash to clean up their mess
Sacramento News & Review

California Adds Jobs in May; Economy Shows Signs of Weakness
NBC Bay Area
Also appeared in:

San Jose Safeway shooting spurs fears of more conflicts with shoplifters
The Mercury News

Starbucks to permanently close 6 LA locations after reported drug use by public, crime concerns
CBS Los Angeles

To protect supply chain, independent truckers need clarity
American Journal of Transportation

A Candid Interview with California Retailers Association’s Rachel Michelin
Loss Prevention Magazine Podcast
CAL-ORCA Updates
Free Virtual Trainings on the New ORC Reporting System

The California Organized Retail Crimes Association (Cal-ORCA), which is now under the management of CRA, is using a new state of the art system for reporting, tracking and aggregating data across local jurisdictions and state lines. All of Cal-ORCA's members should have received a notice from Auror with details on two upcoming virtual free training sessions. We have also included details here. Please save the date and add these sessions to your calendar if you are interested in learning more about how to access and navigate the online crime reporting portal. If you have not yet heard from Auror, please send us an email at cra@calretailers.com.

  • Thursday, August 11th 11AM-11:45AM PST 

  • Tuesday, August 16th 11AM-11:45AM PST
Nominations Now Open for Cal-ORCA Conference Awards

Join The California Retailers and California Organized Retail Crimes Associations as we recognize four categories of outstanding service in the fight to stop Organized Retail Crime and Retail Theft.
On Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5, 2022, CRA and Cal-ORCA will host our 2022 Cal-ORCA Conference in-person. The Conference will focus on Organized Retail Crime and Retail Theft and bring together policymakers, law enforcement and the business community for “Collaborating on a Safer California”. 

During the Conference, we will be honoring four award categories: 
  1. Prosecutor of the Year
  2. Organized Retail Crime Case of the Year
  3. Law Enforcement Agency of the Year
  4. Law Enforcement Investigator of the Year. 

These awards will be recognized publicly during the event.
Deadline to submit nominations is Monday August 15, 2022.
CRA Outreach & Activities
JOIN CALIFORNIA RETAILERS FOR TWO SPECIAL EVENTS:
2022 ANNUAL MEETING
CA ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME CONFERENCE

CRA members are invited to join the California Retailers Board of Directors and the CRA team for our IN PERSON 2022 Annual Meeting in beautiful Sonoma California!

On Monday and Tuesday, September 25-26 we will gather at the Lodge at Sonoma for networking, updates and strategic planning for the retail industry in California.

Topics include:

  • 2024 PAGA Initiative
  • ORC/Retail Theft/#Fix47
  • Supply Chain
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • CalOSHA
  • Privacy
  • California COVID Endemic
  • Recap of the 2022 Legislative session
  • 2023 Cal Retailers legislative priorities

Members will also have an opportunity to let the CRA Team know what issues are important to them.

The meeting begins with a CRA member wine reception followed by the CRA membership dinner. The meeting will take place from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday, September 26th.

The member ticket for the Annual Meeting is $450 and includes lodging and all meals. Please email us HERE to RSVP. 

The Cal-ORCA conference will take place October 4-5, 2022 in Ontario California. You can view the DRAFT agenda HERE. Our Special Guest is California Attorney General Rob Bonta!

We have joint sponsorship opportunities available -- member companies can sponsor the Annual Meeting AND the California Organized Retail Crime Association at the same time. This is a great way to include asset protection folks in the Cal-ORCA conference on ORC/retail theft while securing your spot at the Annual Meeting.

Sponsorship opportunities can be viewed HERE.
Cal Retailers Meets with Homeland Security to Discuss Supply Chain Issues

With the Trade Summit in LA this year, the Department of Homeland Security reached out to the California Retailers Association with a great opportunity to meet with retailers/importers/exporters to share pressing concerns from the retail industry and to connect with local contacts for DHS in the field.
 
During the meeting CRA shared insights on how we can better coordinate on an efficient goods movement system that not only affects California, but the United States as a whole. Participants included:
 
  • Tasha Hippolyte; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade, Department of Homeland Security
  • Cynthia Echeverria; Senior National Security Liaison at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • John Pickel; Counselor (Trade) at Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection
  • Amy Strauss; Senior Director Private Sector Office (PSO), Department of Homeland Security
  • Anthony (Tony) Frangipane; Southwest Regional Director U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • Melissa Green; Program Manager, Department of Homeland Security 
  • Melynda Moran; San Francisco Bay Area · Sector Outreach Coordinator · Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Virtual Retail Theft Summit - Los Angeles

The CRA team and Asset Protection representatives of CRA’s member companies heard from Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer to discuss and share feedback around retail theft concerns and explore ways CRA and retail companies can collaborate with the City Attorney’s office to address the growing issue and ways the office can expand its role in alleviating the problem.
The CRA team also met with the Fresno County District Attorney and City of Fresno's Police Chief. Stay tuned for a Retail Summit being planned for the Fall focused on that region.
Virtual panel on ‘The Great Reshuffling and Beyond’

CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin sat on a panel discussion focused on the current state and future California's workforce hosted by CalMatters and the Milken Institute

Rachel: “Retailers were trying to manage and provide calm in the midst of the storm during the height of the pandemic.”

"Covid changed a lot for the retail industry including supply chain challenges, consumers wanting products quicker and increasing online shopping.”

“Retailers are committed to investing in their employees. Many C suite executives started at the ground level working in retail stores.”
Monthly Policy Calls
The following includes the remainder of the 2022 monthly policy call calendar covering this year's legislative session (dates are subject to change). For CRA members' designated contacts who are not regularly receiving these policy call reminders and calendar invites, please email cra@calretailers.com to be added moving forward. Policy calls are held on Fridays at 10:00am PT.

  • August 26
  • September 23
CRA Member Portal
CRA members get access to CRA's exclusive online member portal, which contains coalition letters, floor alerts, regulatory comments and testimony that California Retailers Association authored or signed on to during previous Legislative sessions as well as the latest updates on the 2021-2022 legislative session. The portal also contains newsletter, news alert archives and important association governance documents for your reference. If you have not yet received your login credentials and access instructions please email cra@calretailers.com. We are also available to answer any questions you may have regarding portal navigation.
California Retailers Association https://calretailers.com/
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