SACRAMENTO, CA – Last week, the California Assembly Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 697, authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield). This bill aims to enhance sentencing and penalties for those found guilty of wrongdoing under the Cartwright Act. As part of Senator Hurtado’s broader anti-corruption legislative package, SB 697 stands as a crucial measure in her ongoing efforts to combat anti-competitive practices that undermine the Central Valley’s regional economy and consumer confidence.

“There has been a lot of discussion regarding crime in California, specifically retail theft, and on the need to take action, but hardly any mention of a different type of crime—White Collar Crime. This often unnoticed and unpunished crime has severe financial impacts on our valley families. Price fixing, bid rigging, and collusion are illegal and increasingly tied to bribery and corruption. These actions drive farmers out of business, cost farmworkers their jobs, and make it harder for consumers to make ends meet. They actions have no place in capitalism. These actions should have no place in our communities. So, I am taking action because business will not continue as usual."

 Senate Bill 697 now head to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations before a full floor vote by the California Assembly’s members.

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