NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Martinez		DATE TYPED:	3/07/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Night Retail Employee Safety				SB	SJM 4 /aSFl#1
					ANALYST:		Maloy

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	NFI

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

Environment Department, Occupational Health and Safety Bureau

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFl Amendment #1

The Senate Floor has amended SJM 4 to strike the provision requiring the study result in draft regulations to be presented before the environmental improvement board.

Synopsis of SRC Amendment

The Senate Rules Committee amendment to SJM 4 removes the term “presented” and inserts the wording “by October 1, 2003” and strikes the word “before” and inserts the word “to” at line 16 of page 2.

The amendment also adds after the term “board” the words “and the radioactive and hazardous materials committee” at line 17 of page 2.

These amendments do not substantively change the purpose or effect of the underlying Memorial except to set a deadline for reporting on the bureau’s findings and add another committee to which the recommendations reported.

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 4 requests the Occupational Health & Safety Bureau (OHS Bureau) study issues related to “Late Night Retail Employee Safety and Security” and, thereafter, draft regulations to present before the Environmental Improvement Board.

Significant Issues

There has been an increase in the number of assaults, robberies and violent acts on employees working in retail establishments open during the late night / early morning hours. Several fatalities involving store clerks remain unsolved for lack of leads or videotape evidence.

There are no uniform standards for employee safety and security with which businesses must comply. This Memorial directs the OHS Bureau to develop and propose minimum uniform standards that stores primarily engaged in the sale of groceries, gasoline, or both, must follow if they are open between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am.

Uniform standards for safety and security will enhance the working environment, assist law enforcement efforts and provide an added level of safety for the general public who patronize these stores.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no appropriation for this Memorial. Minimal staffing and budget resources/costs are projected for the agencies necessary to carrying out this study and to propose regulations. The involved agencies believe this cost can be absorbed in existing appropriations.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Memorial does not set a time frame by which the study is to be concluded and when the draft regulations are to be presented before the Environmental Improvement Board.

SJM/sb