Supporters include fellow assembly members Joaquin Arambula, Jim Cooper, Jim Frazier, Eduardo Garcia, Mike Gipson, Timothy Grayson, Jose Medina, Cottie Petrie-Norris, James Ramos, Freddie Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sharon Quirk-Silva and Senator Cathleen Galgiani.

The proposed legislation outlines historic revitalization options and economic opportunities for workers, families, and small businesses while expanding job opportunities to help those affected by the pandemic-induced recession.

Additional details about AB 1842:

Small Business

• AB 1842 proposes creating an earned income tax credit for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic, helping to keep workers in their jobs and keeping employers in business.
• This bill requires the Office of Small Business Advocate within GO-Biz to convene a task force to report to the Legislature regarding regulations that most negatively impact small businesses in the state.

Getting Californians Back to Work

• AB 1842 creates a system to allocate economic recovery grants to local governments for housing, transportation, and community development projects that are “shovel-ready” in order to spur immediate job growth.
• This bill will require the State Personnel Board within the Department of Human Resources to include as a factor in recruitment, outreach, and hiring whether the person has become unemployed due to COVID-19.
• AB 1842 will expand eligibility requirements for the California Conservation Corps, allowing more people to join the program and work on conservation and restoration projects in their community.
• AB 1842 also proposes increasing the number of entry-level positions wildfire mitigation jobs within the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.  

Healthcare & Hospitals

• AB 1842 expands healthcare workforce programs to increase the supply and diversity of healthcare professionals in underserved areas, creating jobs that are critical to the health and safety of our communities.
• This bill also provides much-needed financial relief to hospitals by establishing the Economic Recovery Seismic Retrofitting Program to provide loans to hospitals to fund seismic retrofit construction, helping to ensure the continued delivery of care for California.  

Food Supply

• AB 1842 will aid food banks in hiring laborers to harvest and transport surplus food crops to distribute to areas with high food insecurity, helping to reduce crop waste, create jobs, and feed families in need.

AB 1842 is a roadmap for economic revitalization and methods of job creation in California. This legislation encourages immediate action and substantive steps to help workers and small businesses to facilitate economic recovery and ensure the well-being of working families in California.