The Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) held its last meeting before going on summer hiatus. Members networked, enjoyed dinner, and viewed several vehicles on display at the meeting venue. Among them were the Cadillac XTS and Lincoln MKT Town Car. Many were excited to have the opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison at the meeting.

The meeting’s real focus was on legislative updates provided by lobbyists Gregg Cook and Rob Grossglauser. They monitor all bills introduced in the California legislature that may impact the limousine industry. One such bill that the GCLA opposed was a sales tax on services provided to millionaires, including limousine and charter bus services. The GCLA rallied and its members’ arguments got through to legislators who defeated the bill.

There are two current bills for which the GCLA has announced support. One in the Senate would assist small business operators in obtaining information regarding labor law regulations and enforcement, essentially establishing a “labor standards consultation unit.” Small business operators who may not readily have access to legal assistance would be able to contact the consultation unit to gain advice and counsel on California’s labor laws and regulations.

Another bill aims to impact the presence of alcohol in charter vehicles. The GCLA has been deeply engaged in negotiations with Assemblyman Jerry Hill, who visited Gateway Limousines in Burlingame to learn more about the limousine industry and the controls in place to protect minors. Today, the legislation appropriately places the responsibility for monitoring the availability and consumption of alcohol by a minor on the contracting party or his or her designee, not on the vehicle driver or operator. The close working relationship between Hill and the GCLA has helped facilitate and agreement to amend the bill that adds to current law the authorized use of electronic waybills in place of traditional paper, hard-copy waybills.

The GCLA will meet again in September for its annual Expo.

For more information, visit www.gcla.org. LD06/12