SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Democratic lawmakers and business leaders have announced a package of bills designed to make California's regulatory environment friendlier to businesses.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez announced an agreement with business leaders Thursday. They hope to pass the bills next week, at the end of this year's legislative session.
The main bill would require state agencies to assess the economic impact of regulations before they are adopted. A second bill would establish the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.
The bills are supported by the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, which called the package a good first step to reducing business costs.
Republican lawmakers said the proposals do not go far enough.