New California Laws from July 1: Honest Pricing, Hidden Fees, and More - What You Can Expect

Sacramento, California United States of America
Assembly Bill 12 caps most security deposits at one month's rent. Senate Bill 684 aims to speed up the process of building new housing units.
California's 'Honest Pricing Law' requires businesses to disclose all mandatory charges upfront starting July 1.
Senate Bill 1524 allows restaurants and bars to continue charging service fees, healthcare costs, and other surcharges.
Senate Bill 478 and Assembly Bill 537 aim to eliminate hidden fees by requiring businesses to include all mandatory charges in the advertised prices for goods and services.
The 'Keep Kids in School' bill expands a provision in the state's education code to completely ban student suspensions for 'willful defiance'.
New California Laws from July 1: Honest Pricing, Hidden Fees, and More - What You Can Expect

New California Laws Taking Effect on July 1: Honest Pricing, Hidden Fees, and More

California is known for its innovative laws that aim to protect consumers and address various social issues. Starting July 1, several new laws will go into effect in the Golden State. In this article, we'll discuss some of these new regulations covering honest pricing, hidden fees, housing policies, education reforms, and restaurant practices.

Honest Pricing: A New Era for Consumers

California's new 'Honest Pricing Law,' which goes into effect on July 1, requires businesses to disclose all mandatory charges upfront. This law applies to various industries, including the cruise industry. The world's largest cruise operators – Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean – will now be required to include all taxes, port fees, and other mandatory charges in the advertised prices for cruises.

Hidden Fees: A Ban on Junk Fees

Senate Bill 478 and Assembly Bill 537 aim to eliminate hidden fees by requiring businesses to include all mandatory charges in the advertised prices for goods and services. This law applies to various industries, including concert tickets, short-term lodging (such as hotels or AirBnB), gun tax, and more.

Housing Policies: Changes for Landlords and Renters

Assembly Bill 12 caps most security deposits at one month's rent. Additionally, Senate Bill 684 aims to speed up the process of building new housing units by making the approval of subdivision maps more efficient in urban areas.

Education Reforms: Keeping Kids in School

The 'Keep Kids in School' bill expands a provision in the state's education code to completely ban student suspensions for 'willful defiance.' This reform aims to reduce suspensions for historically marginalized students, such as those of color, experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and LGBTQ+ students.

Restaurant Practices: Charging Service Fees

Senate Bill 1524 was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom to exempt California food and beverage vendors from Senate Bill 478. This new bill allows restaurants and bars to continue charging service fees, healthcare costs, and other surcharges when listed clearly for diners to see.

In conclusion, these new laws aim to provide transparency in pricing, eliminate hidden fees, improve housing policies, reform education practices, and maintain restaurant practices. Stay tuned for more updates on California's innovative legislative landscape.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Gov. Newsom signs law allowing restaurants and bars to charge service fees with prior disclosure

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Stephanie Breijo Sunday, 30 June 2024 05:10
  • Unique Points
    • Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1524, an emergency measure to exempt California food and beverage vendors from Senate Bill 478.
    • Restaurants and bars were included in the affected businesses, and Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta had advised that the food and beverage vendors roll such fees into listed menu prices to avoid legal action.
    • Surcharges, health fees and service charges are regularly used within the industry to stabilize wages across dining rooms and kitchens, where servers often receive tips but cooks and dishwashers do not, and to help offset the cost of benefits such as healthcare.
    • The new bill passed unanimously in the state Assembly and Senate in late June.
    • SB 1524 is supported by the California Restaurant Assn. and the labor union Unite Here, both of which represent thousands of hospitality workers in California.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position. The author quotes several individuals in the restaurant industry who express their relief and gratitude for the new law allowing them to continue charging service fees. However, no opposing viewpoints or criticisms of this practice are presented, giving a one-sided perspective on the issue.
    • Multiple restaurateurs told the Los Angeles Times that they feared that raising list prices during a tumultuous year marked by closures and inflation would cost them more customers and support.
    • Navarrette spent weeks campaigning for SB 1524's passage, writing letters, meeting with upwards of 35 policy advisors, legislators or their representatives...
    • Numerous business operators in the service industry have been vocal against SB 478...
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that the new law 'could be here to stay' and 'feels like you're being duped'. She also makes a dichotomous depiction by describing SB 478 as a 'great model bill' and SB 1524 as a 'step backwards'.
    • The practice was set to be outlawed beginning Monday.
    • It feels like you're being duped,
    • That's what it feels like: that they're trying to trick you.
    • CALPIRG’s Engstrom called SB 478 a 'great model bill'
    • You can still see it; you just have to do the math.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News

Fox San Diego News Channel (KSWB-TV) Danielle Dawson Friday, 28 June 2024 21:06
  • Unique Points
    • From July 1, businesses in California are required to include all mandatory charges in the advertised prices for goods and services under Senate Bill 478 and Assembly Bill 537.
    • Landlords can no longer ask renters for a security deposit equal to as much as three months’ rent under Assembly Bill 12. Most security deposits will be capped at one month’s rent.
    • Public schools with third grade to twelfth grade students will provide free menstrual products in bathrooms from July 1 under Assembly Bill 230.
    • Senate Bill 684 aims to speed up the process of building new housing units by making the approval of subdivision maps more efficient in urban areas.
    • The ‘Keep Kids in School’ bill expands a provision in the state’s education code to completely ban student suspensions for ‘willful defiance’ from July 1.
  • Accuracy
    • From July 1, all firearms and munition will be subject to an 11% state tax under Assembly Bill 28.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Why Cruise Fares Are About To Get More ‘Honest’

Forbes Magazine Suzanne Rowan Thursday, 27 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • A new California law called the ‘Honest Pricing Law’ goes into effect on July 1, requiring businesses to disclose all costs upfront.
    • The world’s largest cruise operators - Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean - will start disclosing upfront all taxes, port fees, and other mandatory charges on all cruises from July 1.
    • Transparent pricing will become the norm across the entire industry including Carnival (Holland America and Princess), Royal Caribbean (Celebrity), Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article by Suzanne Rowan Kelleher contains one instance of an appeal to authority fallacy. The author quotes Aaron Saunders, senior editor at Cruise Critic, stating that the new law provides more transparency upfront and simplifies the booking experience for consumers. This statement is used as evidence to support the argument that the new law is a big win for consumers.
    • “It provides more transparency upfront, allowing travelers to more accurately gauge costs as part of the shopping process—versus further along in the booking process,”
    • “We are updating the way we display our pricing in the U.S. beginning July 1,”
    • “Guests booking with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will now see pricing that is inclusive of their selected cruise fare and all required taxes and fees.”
    • “In compliance with new advertising rules, we are displaying prices to include mandatory fees and taxes for both the cruise fare and onboard products and services. The final price paid does not change, simply the way it is displayed.”
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication