Keeping Fairness Top of Mind for California Franchisees and Animal Lovers

Sacramento, CA – This week, Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill, AB 2723 Animals: microchips and AB 676 Franchises.

AB 2723 would expand upon, and clarify pet microchip ownership with the intent to alleviate legal confusion and ambiguity for pet owners, especially owners undergoing improper pet reclamation, pet theft, or pet loss. Specifically, AB 2723 would prioritize the contacting of owners in instances of pet recovery by encouraging that the pet owner be listed as the microchip primary contact, instead of pet adoption organizations.

“We need pet ownership to be clear for a number of reasons, the bond over time makes them members of our family and we need them to be protected and safe,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

The next bill that was signed is AB 676, which helps prohibit franchisors from influencing where a franchisee can purchase a franchise based on a protected class, such as race. This has been the subject of ongoing lawsuits against McDonalds by African American franchisees. This bill would create a more fair process where both parties have a say to determine the amount franchisee’s owe when an agreement is being terminated. It also prevents franchisors from transferring all liability burden onto franchisees in exchange for financial help during a state of emergency.

“As a former franchisee, it was incumbent on me to bring forth solutions that work for franchisees and their employees. AB 676 helps to rectify the unbalanced relationship between franchisee and franchisors,” said Holden. 

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