ACTION ALERT End the Penny Shortage - Tell Congress to Resume Penny Circulation and Pass the Common Cents Act!
We need your help to urge Congress to resume circulating pennies and to pass the Common Cents Act. As many of you know, since the U.S. Mint halted penny production earlier this year, the restaurant industry has faced a difficult situation when providing exact change to customers who pay in cash. Fears of liability and damaging customer trust have left many to begin rounding down to the nearest nickel on transactions, which could cost the industry in the long-term.
In 2016, SB 1383 was signed into law with the intent of tackling methane gas emissions from organic waste. The law has been enforceable since 2022 and requires businesses, residents, and multi-family complexes to separate organic waste for collection.
Edible food recovery requirements also became enforceable in 2016 for "Tier I" commercial food generators, like supermarkets and grocery stores. On January 1st, 2024 those same requirements started to apply to "Tier Two" commercial food generators, which included larger restaurants, hotels, health facilities, and more.
While local jurisdictions have varied in their timing and intensity of enforcement since 2024, many are now gearing up for more comprehensive enforcement.
Now is a good time to check out the latest update to the CRA website to refresh yourself on the requirements and to see the latest resources. It includes background on the preexisting law, information on whether you may be covered by the bill's requirements, and resource on how to comply.
CRA LEGAL PARTNER CONTENT Employer cheat sheet for workplace laws taking effect January 1, 2026: Top 5 trends and your quick list of 50+ new laws
"Workplace law compliance was a wild ride in 2025, and now it’s time to catch our breath and prepare for what’s next. More than 50 new workplace laws will kick in on January 1 in more than half the states across the country, and several “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions taking effect in 2026 will impact employers nationwide."
Did you know? CRA members get one call (not to exceed 15 minutes) of legal advice every month with our CRA Legal Center.
Historic California restaurant sues over 'unconscionable' rent
"A historic coastal California restaurant is currently at odds with its landlord for charging what it calls an “unconscionable” amount for rent. The landlord, the city of Santa Barbara, vehemently disagrees."
CRA LEGAL PARTNER CONTENT Employment tip of the month: When should I update an employee handbook and how?
An updated employee handbook is crucial for setting expectations and ensuring compliance with continually evolving laws. The handbook and its revisions should be clear and concise for employees, comprehensive in scope to address common workplace issues and inquiries, and aligned with the company’s mission and goals.
Did you know? CRA members get one call (not to exceed 15 minutes) of legal advice every month with our CRA Legal Center.
CRA LEGAL PARTNER CONTENT The hidden legal minefield: Compliance concerns with AI smart glasses, part 2 – two-party consent and AI note-taking
AI-enabled smart glasses are quickly moving from niche gadgets to valuable workplace tools, but they raise major legal and privacy issues. This part looks at how their features relate to consent and note-taking under U.S. and state wiretapping laws. In many states, recording or transcribing conversations without everyone’s permission—especially with discreet devices—can violate two-party (or all-party) consent laws and lead to legal trouble.
Did you know? CRA members get one call (not to exceed 15 minutes) of legal advice every month with our CRA Legal Center.
We’re looking for volunteers to help share information about Restaurants Care, our free relief grants for California’s food and beverage workers when they face a crisis. Talk to your local spots, pass along info, and be our boots-on-the-ground.
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION RESOURCE Addressing the penny shortage
The Association has new resources addressing the penny shortage spreading across the country. In February, the U.S. Mint was directed to stop minting new pennies. Then, in the summer, the coin infrastructure—run mostly by private businesses—started to stop the deposits and disbursements of pennies to businesses, like restaurants.
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