News & Publications

In 2021, Congress passed a new law called the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, aimed at increasing the transparency of small companies throughout the country.

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the rights of non-managerial employees of most private sector employers to engage in “concerted activity,” regardless of whether they are unionized.

It is everyone’s favorite time of the year…new laws!  Whether you are a large or small employer, every year, new laws and significant changes to existing regulations may affect your business. This year, employers should be aware of the following changes: 

In September I wrote about choosing the right business entity for your rental property and, for several reasons, I landed on LLCs as perhaps being the best bet (depending, of course, on your set of facts). In that article I stated that, in determining the right structure for your circumstances, issues such as property taxes, estate planning, and administrative expenses and processes should be further explored with qualified counsel.  

The City of Salinas recently adopted a mandatory residential rental registration program and the City of Monterey appears to be on the verge of doing the same (calling theirs a “rental inventory”).  The stated purpose of the two programs is generally the same: by gathering information about the residential properties that are available for rent within city limits, the respective city councils can make better and more informed decisions to make housing more affordable.

Let’s say you and a few friends pooled your money and bought a rental property.  You’re excited – it’s an apartment complex with long-term tenants who pay their rent on time and don’t make a fuss.  You have a joint bank account you use to deposit rent checks and pay expenses (everyone trusts each other) and you’ve secured a solid umbrella policy with a reputable insurer.

On April 4, 2023 the Salinas City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2663, which establishes a mandatory registry for most residential rental units in the City.   Who must register? All owners, sublessors, and property managers must register any residential property they rent in the City of Salinas.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits disability-based discrimination by all places of public accommodation.  Places of “public accommodation” generally refers to businesses and nonprofit organizations that are open to the public, including but not limited to retail stores, restaurants, hotels, recreational facilities, gas stations, and professional services businesses.

The California Legislature passed multiple new laws that impact employers.  Following is a brief summary.  Unless otherwise noted, these laws take effect January 1, 2023.