LEGAL UPDATES

Status and Future of City of Salinas Residential Rental Ordinances

By Peter Brazil, Attorney, Business, Real Estate, Landlord Tenant Law

In late 2024 the City of Salinas enacted four (4) interrelated residential rental ordinances that together regulate rent levels, eviction standards, landlord conduct, and administrative oversight. These ordinances became enforceable and operational on January 1, 2025. Since then, the ordinances have been repealed, the repeal has been suspended, and the issue will be before voters in 2026.

2026 Contractor Legal Updates

By Jacob Yoneda, Attorney, Employment Law and Litigation

Whether you are a licensed contractor or someone hiring a licensed contractor, there are several changes to the California laws that took effect in January 2026 that affect licensed contractors and their businesses. While some changes in the law are largely administrative, others may require immediate updates to contracts in use. Read this summary prepared by JRG Attorneys at Law to understand how new laws may affect you and your projects.

Assembly Bill 521(B&P Code § 7071.4) – Limits CSLB’s liability in handling license bond alternative deposit claims

Assembly Bill (AB) 1002 (B&P Code § 7036) – Authorizes licensing actions arising from employee wage claims

Assembly Bill 1327 (B&P Code §7159) – Requires home improvement contracts to include telephone contact information provisions for email notices of cancellation

Senate Bill 517 (B&P Code § 7159) – Requires disclosure of subcontractors in home improvement contracts

Senate Bill 291 (B&P Code § 7099.2) – Increases penalty for workers' compensation coverage violations

Senate Bill 779 (Various Statutes) – Increases penalties for unlicensed work and other violations

Senate Bill 456 – License exemptions for mural artists

JRG TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

Introducing Associate Attorney Amy Walls Rodriguez, Esq.

We are pleased to announce the addition of our newest associate attorney, Amy Walls Rodriguez, who is based in our Hollister office alongside Partner and Branch Manager Craig Cox. JRG Amy is a dedicated, detail-oriented attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning, business law, and civil litigation. A magna cum laude graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law and former prosecutor with the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office, Amy is known for her strong advocacy, careful analysis, and strategic approach. She is excited to continue serving the community while building lasting relationships with clients.

Congratulations to Silvia Rivera, nominee for United Way Monterey County LIVE UNITED Awards

Silvia Rivera was nominated for the Community Service award for her dedication and service through 25 years of volunteer work to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Salinas Valley. Relay for Life is not only a fundraiser, it is a community building event for all of those in the community touched by cancer.

Silvia served as the 2025 Survivor Lead, in charge of coordinating all survivor activities, donations, gifts and all details for activities that honor local cancer survivors during the 2025 Relay for Life. Silvia is extremely generous with her time, performing countless extra tasks, and volunteers anywhere from 200 to 300 hours per year. We attribute the firm’s 2025 Team Recognition Award and the 2025 BEST Themed Tent Award to Silvia’s leadership. Silvia also received a 2025 Leadership Recognition Award. As a cancer survivor herself, Silvia has been honored as the Torchbearer in 2024 and officially “Rang the Bell” that same year to celebrate the end of her chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She will be recognized at the United Way’s 50th annual LIVE UNITED awards event.

FIRM NEWS

JRG is pleased to offer mediation and arbitration services. With overworked courts, it is challenging to achieve a timely and cost-efficient resolution for civil cases. Our Monterey County and San Benito County legal community needs qualified and hard-working mediators and arbitrators, who are in short supply. Stephan Barber has experience in all types of civil litigation, including insurance, and has the knowledge to properly evaluate legal disputes. He works cooperatively with parties and their counsel to resolve disputes outside the courtroom with reasonable costs and no administrative fees.

JRG Attorneys at Law

info@JRGattorneys.com