State Sen. Melendez introduces measures to protect small businesses from COVID-19 fines

RIVERSIDE – California Sen. Melissa Melendez, R -Lake Elsinore, introduced two measures Jan. 4, aiming to protect small businesses from COVID-19 fines. “Business owners are draining their finances to comply with COVID-19 regulations, and the governor has continued to change the rules with no data to support his mandates,” Melendez said. “Now small businesses are facing fines and penalties as they try to stay afloat and keep their lifelong dreams alive.” The first measure, Senate Bill 102, prohibits regulatory boards and agencies within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, from revoking licenses or penalizing small-business owners for failure to comply with any COVID-19 emergency orders. The second measure is a reintro