Jennifer Barrera
Jennifer Barrera took over as president and chief executive officer of the California Chamber of Commerce on October 1, 2021. Previously, she oversaw the development and implementation of policy and strategy as executive vice president and represented the CalChamber on legal reform issues. She led CalChamber advocacy on labor and employment and taxation from September 2010 through the end of 2017. As senior policy advocate in 2017, she worked with the executive vice president in developing policy strategy. Before joining the CalChamber, she worked at a statewide law firm that specializes in labor/employment defense. Barrera earned a B.A. in English from California State University, Bakersfield, and a J.D. with high honors from California Western School of Law. See full bio.
Voters May Decide Fate of “Gig” Drivers and Delivery Workers
Last week, a much-anticipated initiative was filed regarding independent contractor status for transportation network drivers and delivery network drivers/couriers in the gig economy.
The initiative...
More Exemptions Needed on Bill Codifying Independent Contractor Test
There are three weeks left in the legislative session and one of the most common questions I get multiple times on a daily basis...
For Uber and Lyft Drivers, Reclassification Means Less Flexibility
Last week, an op-ed appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle discussing the fact that executives from Uber and Lyft have come together to address...
CalChamber-Sponsored Bill to Protect Businesses from Predatory Lawsuits Passes
Legislation sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce to help educate businesses and protect them from predatory lawsuits passed an Assembly committee last week with unanimous...
CalChamber Identifies AB 51 as Job Killer; Full List to Come
The California Chamber of Commerce today announced its first identified job killer of 2019 -- AB 51 (Gonzalez; D-San Diego). The bill, which is scheduled...
Assembly Committee to Hold Informational Hearing on Dynamex Today
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee today will hold an informational hearing on the decision issued last April by the California Supreme Court that...
Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Workplaces
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is in the process of developing regulations to prevent heat illness in indoor workplaces.
A California...
Independent Contractor Coalition Continues Working for Legislative Solution
The effort to develop a proposal supporting the ability of workers to work independently will continue through the legislative recess.
As many employers know, the...
Bill Limiting Use of Settlement/Arbitration Agreements on Governor’s Desk
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer bill to limit the use of settlement agreements and arbitration agreements for labor and employment claims has...
CalChamber Urges Senate to Stop Ban on Settlement/Arbitration Agreements
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer bill to ban settlement agreements and arbitration agreements for labor and employment claims is awaiting action by...
CalChamber: State Legislature Needs to Set Standard on Independent Contractor Test
During an interview with KPCC radio yesterday Jennifer Barrera, senior vice president of policy for the California Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the urgent need...
Coalition Fights Expansion of Employment Litigation
Trial Attorneys Benefit from Agreement Ban
The California Chamber of Commerce and a large coalition of employer groups and local chambers of commerce are opposing a job...
Opposition Stops Retroactive Liability for Product Manufacturers, Distributors
A coalition led by the California Chamber of Commerce has stopped legislation that would have created an extraordinary new scheme of product liability resulting...
Three Job Killers in Committees Today
The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee today will consider three California Chamber of Commerce-opposed job killer bills.
AB 1761 (Muratsuchi;...
Legislative Preview: Votes to be Cast Today on CalChamber-Sponsored Bill, CalChamber-Opposed Measures
Legislative committee hearings today will give lawmakers a chance to cast votes to protect sexual harassment victims and employers from being sued for defamation,...
Job Creator Bill Promoting Career Training Education in Committee Today
The Senate fiscal committee will consider today a California Chamber of Commerce-supported job creator bill establishing a public-private partnership program to help prepare students...
Assembly Judiciary Passes Two CalChamber-Opposed Employment Bills
California Chamber of Commerce policy advocates yesterday highlighted for the Assembly Judiciary Committee problems with two employment-related bills. Even so, the committee approved, 7-3,...
Protect Harassment Victims, Employers From Defamation Suits
Cross posted in The Ventura County Star
In 2016, 554 Californians filed sexual harassment complaints with the state civil rights agency, and many other employees...
CalChamber-Backed Bill Helps Minimize California Waste
An Assembly policy committee gave near-unanimous approval this week to a California Chamber of Commerce-supported bill that will reduce the number of surplus household...
Chambers Urge Stronger Link Between Career Technical Education Funding, Workforce Needs
The California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of local chambers of commerce are asking legislators to broaden the criteria for career technical education...