HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 432 De Leon - Hotel HousekeepingCITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE THE PALM DESERT LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO PROVIDE A LETTER
TO SENATOR EMMERSON OPPOSING SB 432 (DE LEON).
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager/ Legislative Analyst
DATE: May 12, 2011
CONTENTS: Recommended Letter of Opposition
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve the recommended letter of opposition to SB 432
(De Leon) to Senator Emmerson.
Committee Recommendation
On April 26, 2011, the Palm Desert Legislative Review Committee recommended that
the City Council approve a letter of opposition concerning SB 432 (De Leon).
Background
Senate Bill 432 (De Leon) will require the California Department of Industrial Relations
(DIR) Standards Board to promulgate regulations through Cal -OSHA to require the use
of fitted sheets in all hotels in the State. It further mandates the use of long handled
mops and cleaning tools for housekeepers in all hotels in the State. Both requirements
are proposed in this bill for the purpose of preventing occupational injuries to
housekeepers.
No evidence is provided that housekeepers using either fitted sheets or long handled
tools are less likely to be injured on the job. However, according to representatives of
the Hospitality Industry, switching to fitted sheets would have adverse effects on hotels
including increased costs, increased energy consumption, and negative environmental
issues.
California already has a well established and often used procedure for analyzing the
risks of workplace hazards and developing Cal -OSHA regulations to deal with those
risks, which begins with the DIR Standard Board reviewing all the data and making
recommendations to regulations. This procedure is the proper method for working on
such an issue. The legislature should not be imposing its political will on issues of risk
and benefit analysis best performed by State experts on the Standards Board.
Staff Report: Senate Bill 432 (De Leon)
May 12, 2011
Page 2 of 2
Therefore, the City of Palm Desert legislative review committee recommends a letter of
opposition to SB 432 (De Leon) be sent to Senator Emmerson and appropriate Senate
committee members.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact o
promulgating this regulation would
hospitality industry was adversely
Occupancy Taxes.
Submitted By:
XA-- i
Gary Wsenblift, Risk Ma
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f this proposition to the City because the costs for
impact the City's lodging industry. If the City's local
affected, indirect costs could be lower Transient
rL Let�islati�re Analyst
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
Wohlmuth, City Manager
CITY COUNCILACTION
APPROVED ✓ DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE:
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ABSENT: kInA(-
ABSTAIN:
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VERIFIED BY-_ Q w) —
Original on File with City Clerk`s Office
May 12, 2011
Senator Emmerson
California State Senate
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Senator Emmerson:
The City of Palm Desert opposes Senate Bill 432 (De Leon). SB 432
will require Cal -OSHA to require the use of fitted sheets, and the use
of long handled mops and cleaning tools for housekeepers in all
hotels in the State. These requirements are proposed for the purpose
of preventing occupational injuries to housekeepers. No evidence is
provided that housekeepers using either fitted sheets or long handled
tools are less likely to be injured on the job.
However, according to representatives of the Hospitality Industry,
switching to fitted sheets would have adverse effects on hotels,
including increased costs, increased energy consumption, and
negative environmental issues.
California already has a well established and often used procedure for
analyzing the risks of workplace hazards, which begins with the DIR
Standard Board reviewing all the data and making recommendations
for occupational safety and health regulations. This procedure is the
proper method for working on this issue. The legislature should not be
imposing its political will on issues of risk and benefit analysis best
performed by State safety experts on the Standards Board.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office or the City's Legislative
Analyst, Gary Rosenblum, if we can be of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
JEAN BENSON
MAYOR
cc: City Council
John Wohlmuth, City Manager
Justin McCarthy, Assistant City Manager