Robert Moutrie
Robert Moutrie joined the California Chamber of Commerce in March 2019 as a policy advocate and was named a senior policy advocate starting January 1, 2024 in recognition of his efforts on behalf of members. He leads CalChamber advocacy on occupational safety, tourism, unemployment insurance and immigration. Moutrie has represented clients on matters such as consumer fraud litigation, civil rights, employment law claims, tort claims, and other business-related issues in federal and state courts. He previously served as an associate attorney at the Oakland-based firm of Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson. Moutrie earned a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. with honors from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. See full bio.
Amendments Narrow Coverage of Cost Driver; Author Delays Action Until January
Legislation that would have limited cost-cutting discounts for California consumers has been delayed to 2026 after it faced opposition from several groups including CalChamber...
CalChamber Continues Push to Make Rule Workable
Workplace Violence Prevention Standard
In comments submitted recently to Cal/OSHA, a coalition led by the California Chamber of Commerce continues its ongoing effort to make...
Cost Driver Creating New Reasons to Sue for Consumer-Friendly Pricing Awaits Assembly Action
Legislation identified by the California Chamber of Commerce as a Cost Driver that will hurt existing consumer-friendly pricing practices passed an Assembly policy committee...
Business Groups Stop Bill Allowing Private Attorneys Into Tax Enforcement
A broad business coalition had an early victory yesterday in the California State Senate, when the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee voted down SB...
CalChamber, Coalition Urge UI Debt Assistance in 2025–2026 California Budget
The California Chamber of Commerce and a broad coalition of business groups are urging state leaders to deliver on the commitments made in California’s...
Unemployment Insurance Exceptions Granted for Workers and Employers Affected by Wildfires
With devastating wildfires ravaging California, both employers and workers should be aware of some emergency options available through California’s unemployment insurance (UI) system.
For employees,...
Job Killer Bill Increasing Unemployment Insurance Taxes Stopped
A California Chamber of Commerce job killer bill that would have hiked unemployment insurance (UI) taxes failed to meet a key deadline on Friday...
Cal/OSHA Passes Aggressive Update to Lead Regulation
Yesterday, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board passed a sweeping update to California’s lead regulation despite heavy concerns of feasibility and inaccurate cost estimates from the...
Bill Providing Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers Reintroduced
A bill that would provide unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for striking workers was introduced in the California Legislature yesterday by Senator Anthony Portantino.
This new...
Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates Up in 2024
For California’s employers, the new year brings new unemployment insurance (UI) tax increases.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s annual budget proposal, released last week, foresees belt tightening for...
CalChamber-Opposed Workplace Violence Bill Is Unworkable for Small Employers
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that increases business costs and establishes a one-size-fits-all workplace violence regulation on all California employers is scheduled to...
Cal/OSHA Extends COVID-19 Regulation for 2 Years
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board voted 6-1 yesterday to continue California’s COVID-19 regulation until December 2024.
As part of the transition from an emergency COVID-19 regulation...
CalChamber Calls for Changes to Nonemergency COVID Draft Rule
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board’s draft proposal to extend the state’s COVID-19 regulation for another two years—with some significant changes from the COVID-19 emergency regulation—still...
State Change in COVID-19 Definition of ‘Close Contact’ Leaves Questions for California Employers
One of the most well-known elements of COVID-19 workplace safety was changed last month — to relatively little fanfare — and it has left...
Bills to Strengthen STEM, Computer Education in Schools to Be Heard in Assembly Committee
Two California Chamber of Commerce-supported bills that will invest in California’s future workforce and address the skills gap in the state's primary and secondary...
CalChamber-Led Coalition Urges Legislature to Adopt $3B UI Debt Payment Budget Proposal
The California Chamber of Commerce and a broad-based coalition of employer organizations are strongly supporting Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal to help reduce the...
UI Fund Insolvency and Payroll Tax Increases – Who’s Going to Do Something About...
With the legislative frenzy complete for the year, Sacramento’s policymakers are turning their eyes towards next year’s budget and their next round of legislative...
Proposal Allows Cal/OSHA to Sidestep Fiscal Review
Workplace rules would be allowed to skip past critical analysis of their fiscal and other effects if legislation pending before the Assembly becomes law.
SB...
CalChamber-Opposed Bill Would Stifle Economic Impact Data on Cal/OSHA Regs
Action Alert
Contact your legislator NOW
and request that they vote
NO on SB 410
A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that would deny the public critical economic...
Rising Payroll Taxes Coming to Shore Up California’s Pandemic-Depleted UI Fund
As the 2021 crop of legislation is coming into form and moving through legislative committees addressing a range of topics, one topic is conspicuously...