AB 420

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, authorizes the Governor to declare a state of emergency during conditions of disaster or extreme peril to persons or property, including epidemics. Pursuant to this authority, on March 4, 2020, the Governor declared a state of emergency relating to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. On August 28, 2020, the executive branch implemented a 4-tier "Blueprint for a Safer Economy," which identifies a county's COVID-19 risk level for business operations on a scale from widespread risk to minimal risk. On October 20, 2020, the State Department of Public Health and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued a guidance document, "COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Amusement Parks and Theme Parks," which authorizes a small amusement park to operate at limited capacity when its county is in the moderate tier, and authorizes any other amusement park to operate at 25% capacity when its county is in the minimal tier. This bill would express the intent of the Legislature that the executive branch adjust the "COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Amusement Parks and Theme Parks" document and place all amusement parks, regardless of size, within the moderate risk tier, rather than the minimal risk tier. If the executive branch takes those actions, the bill would require the Department of Industrial Relations to administer a competitive grant for amusement parks to be used by amusement parks to purchase personal protective equipment for their employees. The bill would appropriate $500,000 from the General Fund for the grant program. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.