BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 856
                                                                  Page  1

          CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
          AB 856  (Wesson)
          As Amended September 10, 2001
          Majority vote
           
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          |ASSEMBLY:  |48-27|(June 6, 2001)  |SENATE: |26-3 |(September 12, |
          |           |     |                |        |     |2001)          |
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           Original Committee Reference:    G.O.  

           SUMMARY  :  Provides technical clean-up to AB 471 (Hertzberg),  
          Chapter 198, Statutes of 2001.

           The Senate amendments  :

          1)Clarify the procedures for selecting arbitrators regarding the  
            application of the labor provisions of AB 471.

          2)Delete the California Horse Racing Board's authority to  
            contract with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board regarding  
            services provides to racing steward concerning disputes and  
            alleged unfair labor practices at racetracks.

          3)Designate the local building department or other local entity  
            designated by the jurisdiction in which the racetrack is  
            located as the other entity that is required to participate  
            with CHRB in the annual housing inspections set forth by AB  
            471.

           EXISTING LAW:

           1)Directs CHRB to oversee the conduct of a union recognition  
            procedure for backstretch employees employed by trainers at  
            California's racetracks.

          2)Directs CHRB to develop housing standards that protect the  
            health and safety and general welfare of the backstretch  
            workers living at the racetrack and the horses in their care.   
            Prohibits CHRB from licensing racing associations to conduct a  
            race meeting until an inspection has taken place to ensure  
            compliance with the housing requirements.  Moreover, an annual  
            inspection is required to be conducted by CHRB in conjunction  
            with either the Department of Housing and Community  
            Development or the appropriate local housing authority.  







                                                                  AB 856
                                                                  Page  2


           AS PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill established a racetrack  
          backstretch employee labor process and required CHRB to annually  
          inspect the housing conditions at California's racetracks.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  None

           COMMENTS  :  This bill is clean-up to AB 471 that established a  
          racetrack backstretch employee labor relations process and  
          required CHRB to adopt housing standards for employee housing at  
          racetracks.  AB 471 additionally authorized CHRB to permit  
          racing associations to accept "advanced deposit wagers," as  
          defined.  This bill simply makes minor modifications at the  
          request of the affected parties to the labor relations and  
          housing provisions of AB 471.


           Analysis Prepared by  :  George Wiley / G. O. / (916) 319-2531FN:  
          0003460