Assembly committee advances bill to let PERB monitor and intervene in court actions affecting public employees

The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement on Wednesday voted to advance AB 672, a measure requiring public employers to notify the Public Employment Relations Board when they file court actions that involve statutes administered by PERB and giving PERB authority to intervene in some cases.

Assemblymember Colosa, the bill's author, told the committee the measure is meant to "protect our public employees and their right to collectively bargain." She said the measure would let PERB "maintain the consistent application and enforcement of labor protections and policies across the country." The author added that public employees are "the backbone of our state and deserve protections."

Supporters including Sandra Barreiro of SEIU California and Janice O'Malley of AFSCME California told the committee they back AB 672. Barreiro said the sponsors request the committee's "aye" vote. No witnesses registered opposition during the hearing.

After brief questions from committee members, Assemblymember Nguyen moved the bill with Assemblymember Adani seconding. The committee's roll call recorded the motion as passed and the measure was referred to the Committee on Judiciary. A calendar summary provided later in the hearing shows AB 672 carried sufficient votes and was placed on hold for committee add-ons.

The hearing followed the committee's adoption of its rules at the start of the session. Committee members were reminded the hearing would limit testimony to two primary witnesses on each side and three minutes apiece.

AB 672 will next be considered by the Assembly Judiciary Committee as it moves through the legislative process.