Senator Umberg Announces Legislation to Waive Fees for Businesses Heavily Affected by Stay at Home Orders

December 4, 2020

For Immediate Release: December 4, 2020
Contact: Michael.Henning@sen.ca.gov, (916) 834-8548

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) announced plans to introduce a bill that would provide relief to businesses heavily impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent Stay at Home Orders. Businesses who have been forced to operate at a diminished capacity, or oftentimes shut down entirely, have compounded their sacrifices by also continuing to dutifully pay their state and local mandated operating fees. This proposed legislation would alleviate these state and local fee obligations to heavily impacted businesses.

“California businesses have sacrificed too much for our public health: many have closed permanently, others have been forced to lay off valued employees, and all have struggled. It is wrong for the state to charge fees to companies and professionals for work they are prohibited from doing through no fault of their own,” said Senator Umberg. “Hopefully, this effort will go a long way towards recognizing the sacrifices of the state’s small and family-owned businesses and sole proprietorships, in particular, as they endure another round of closures. It is time we acknowledge – in a meaningful way – those businesses with shuttered doors, and the painful decisions made by families up and down the state.”

Senator Umberg plans to introduce intent legislation on Monday December 7, 2020, the first day of the 2021-22 Legislative Session. “This bill is a start – the beginning of a long conversation with stakeholders both in Sacramento and throughout California to make sure the voices of Main Street are heard and their sacrifices valued.”

Businesses interested in sharing their insights and stories are encouraged to reach out to Jonathan Davis, in Senator Umberg’s Capitol Office, at Jonathan.Davis@sen.ca.gov or at (916) 651-4034.

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Senator Thomas Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, and Westminster. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former federal prosecutor. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.