Leadership shifts: the state of things as the legislative first half ends.

• Author: Allen, Bruce C.
• Position: Capitol Beat

The Senate and Assembly both experienced leadership shifts as the first half of the 2015-16 session came to an end. Sen. Jean Fuller (Bakersfield) was voted in by the Republican Caucus as the new Senate Minority Leader, effective immediately. She replaced" Sen. Bob Huff (San Dimas), who terms out in 2016.

The Assembly Republican Caucus voted freshman Assembly member Chad Hayes of Yucca Valley the next Assembly Minority Leader. Assembly member Hayes, who will replace Assembly member Kristen Olsen, has potentially 11 more years in the Assembly since he was voted into office after the new. term limits were instated.

The Democratic Caucus also saw some changes, with Assembly member Anthony Rendon, a Democrat who represents part of Los Angeles, chosen as the next Speaker of the Assembly. Speaker-Elect Rendon will be officially voted into that role when the Assembly returns for the second half of the 2015-16 session.

Rendon stated that he will maintain the collaborative style of leadership when he takes over for Speaker Toni Atkins in January.

First Half of 2015-16 Session Winds Down

The first half of the 2015-16 session wrapped up Sept. 11. The governor has until Oct. 11 to sign or veto all the bills that reach his desk. There were several key issues that CalCPA weighed in on throughout the 2015 legislative session, and CalCPA will continue to be proactively involved when the legislature reconvenes in January.

SB 8 (Hertzberg), the measure to mandate a tax on services, did not advance out of its first committee this legislative session, and no new language to implement a tax on services was amended into any bills later in the legislative process. Sen. Hertzberg still plans to work with stakeholders on the bill during the second half of the legislative session, and CalCPA will continue to be part of the conversation.

CalCPA also supported legislation this year, one being SB 467 (Hill), which extends the sunset date for the California Board of Accountancy from 2016 until 2020, allowing it to continue to serve as the licensing and regulating authority for the CPA profession in California.

CalCPA continues to have a good, collaborative working relationship with the CBA and supports SB 467, which reached the governor's desk and awaits potential signature.

CalCPA--along with CalTax, CalChamber, and other stakeholders--also supported AB 154 (Ting), which would bring sections of the California tax code into closer conformity with federal tax laws.

AB...