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Top 10 New Laws and Regulations Affecting California Employers
With 2026 now upon us, so is a slew of new laws and regulations that affect California businesses. Every year, laws passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor take effect, and 2025 was a busy legislative session in Sacramento. The end result is another wave of new legislation that California employers need to stay on top of. Here’s what California employers should be aware of.1. PROTECTED LEAVE EXPANDED AB 406, which took effect Oct. 1, 2025, expands on revisions made in 2024 to
Safety & Training Short - Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Basics
Objective: To understand how to utilize a chemical's safety data sheet (SDS) to learn more about associated hazards.What is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? SDSs are required documents under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard, which regulates the provision of information on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. OSHA updates this standard to remain aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), an
IN THE NEWS: Why construction hiring still isn’t working and what Hammerloop is designed to fix
Published by Under the Hard Hat January 27, 2026 Why construction hiring still isn’t working and what Hammerloop is designed to fix. Contractors keep winning work they can’t staff. It's a common problem that's yet to be solved despite construction being one of the largest industries in North America. It still relies heavily on word of mouth and outdated hiring tools. That gap is only growing, with the industry facing a projected shortage of nearly 500,000 workers in the coming year. That’s the
Zero Waste Marin Survey on Deconstruction
As we enter 2026, the Zero Waste Marin board has supported a year-long outreach campaign to improve the awareness of deconstruction in the county. To track the current awareness of deconstruction in Marin County please take the survey below. The survey is intended for contractors, architects, construction professionals in Marin County.Deconstruction Awareness Survey To view the infographic in Spanish, please click here.
Blood Donor Awareness Month
Did you know that January is Blood Donor Awareness month? Since 1970, fifty-six years and counting, every January celebrates the heroes who donate blood and blood-related products to help those with critical needs. January was selected to call attention to the year-round need for blood donations, especially during the winter months when weather, holiday travel, and seasonal illnesses can increase the risk of blood shortages. Blood cannot be manufactured. The only source is generous people willing to donate,
90-Second Home Hardening Videos for Building & Real Estate Professionals
Professionals who build, maintain, landscape, and sell homes play a critical role in wildfire resilience—often long before homeowners recognize their risk. In wildfire-prone regions like Marin County, research consistently shows that home hardening works, reducing how embers, flames, and radiant heat reach a structure. To support this work, Fire Safe Marin has created a series of 90-second videos that highlight practical, high-impact home-hardening strategies using clear visuals and real-world examples
Safety & Training Short - Lead Safety Basics
Objective: To communicate requirements for working safely with lead. Where is Lead Found? Lead is a chemical element that can be found as a toxic heavy metal or combined with other substances to form lead alloys. It’s often used to make batteries, ammunition, and other metal products. In the past, lead was regularly used in fuel, paint, ceramics, caulk, and pipe solder. Residual lead may still be present in older versions of these products as they age and deteriorate.Click here to download the training
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Proskauer - Clock is Ticking for California Employers to Distribute the ''Workplace Know Your Rights''
California employers face an important new compliance deadline under the state’s newly enacted Workplace Know Your Rights Act. By February 1, 2026, all California employers must distribute this mandatory “Know Your Rights” Notice to their employees – and, thereafter, must continue to do so annually. This requirement applies to all employers, regardless of size. The California Labor Commissioner has issued a template of the notice, which summarizes various employee rights under state and federal law,
Safety & Training Short - Solvent Safety Basics
Objective: To communicate requirements for working with solvents in the workplace.Understanding Solvents A solvent is a compound that dissolves another substance, creating a solution. Common solvents in most workplaces are organic materials such as paint thinners, degreasers, alcohols, and petroleum distillates. These solvents can present significant danger as they evaporate into the air in confined or poorly ventilated areas.Click here to download the training short in EnglishClick here to download the
HammerLoop Employer for Construction Video
We hope that you will watch this video on what HammerLoop is. We are a new, innovative, and award winning startup designed to connect construction labor and construction employers at a moment's notice, based on trade and location, and in the palm of your hand! Please create your employer profile, and join the future of construction hiring!HammerLoop Employer for Construction Video
Construction Documents: Detailed Technical Drawings by Eric Rogers, Wagstaff + Rogers Architects
Construction Documents: Detailed Technical Drawings During each architectural phase, our goal is to guide our clients with clarity and intention. After Design Development has refined the project into a coordinated, buildable solution, the work transitions into one of the most detailed and technically intensive stages of the entire architectural process. Construction Documents, the third of the 5 Basic Architectural Services. This phase marks the transformation of refined design ideas into the precise,
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CDF Labor Law - A Year-End Compliance Checklist for California Employers
As 2025 comes to a close, many California employers are juggling holiday schedules, performance reviews, and planning for 2026. Just as importantly, now is the time to evaluate whether your workplace practices are keeping up with California’s fast-changing labor and employment laws. A structured year-end compliance review can help you identify and resolve issues before they become costly demands, audits, or litigation. The following checklist highlights key areas California employers should review now as we
County of Marin Announces the 2026–27 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
The County of Marin will open the 2026–27 funding cycle for federal and state housing and community development programs on January 19, 2026. The application period will close on February 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Estimated funding available this cycle includes: $1,500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, including approximately $430,000 for Community Infrastructure$700,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds$900,000 in Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds matched
Contractors License Guru Launches Insurance Lifeline for Contractors
ATTENTION ALL CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS: As many of you know, the insurance landscape has been changing over the last few years, and it has become increasingly difficult to navigate for those of us in the trades. Over the past six months, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in questions and concerns coming into our office from contractors we’ve helped get established and licensed, as frustration in the market continues to grow. I’ve had the same conversation over and over with licensed contractors. They pass the
New Reduce the Risk Video by Fire Safe Marin
We’re excited to share a new video featuring MBA member Kazoo Shearman (Shearman Builders), walking through the installation of noncombustible fiber cement siding as part of a targeted wildfire retrofit. In this project, the homeowner focused on the lower portion of the wall—where ember exposure is highest— installing Hardie® siding within their budget. The video breaks down how flashing, fiber cement siding, and weather detailing work together to improve ember resistance and all-weather