Newport Beach, California Business Owners: You Must Accept Cash!

The city of Newport Beach in Orange County, California has made it mandatory for brick-and-mortar businesses to accept payments in cash when the customer is physically present at the business. This means that the businesses can no longer decide to go “cashless” and can no longer require payment from online services such as ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle, etc. In addition, these businesses are not allowed to charge a fee or place any other condition on its acceptance of cash. This city-wide requirement begins on March 31, 2025.

Employers Considering Hiring Foreign Workers: New H-1B Visa Rules Take Effect January 2025

Many U.S. employers use the H-1B Visa to obtain workers, and many employers have staffed nearly entire companies with such workers. It is a non-immigrant visa that allows employers to hire foreign workers in what is referred to as a “specialty occupation” for up to 3 years, with a maximum of 6 years. The Biden Administration took steps to “modernize” the H-1B program and the new regulation took effect on January 17, 2025.

Ringing in the 2025 New Year with Minimum Wage Increases All Around California

California has increased its minimum wage to $16.50 per hour this year, and nearly all of the cities with even higher minimum wages are in Northern California except for San Diego and West Hollywood. If you work or own a business anywhere in California, you need to be aware that minimum wage has increased across the entire state starting in January of 2025.

Bars and Nightclub Owners: You Must Offer Date Rape Drug Test Kits Starting this Summer!

Beginning this July, California bars and nightclubs must now add “drug testing devices” to their regular inventory. If you own a bar or nightclub, you likely have a Type 48 liquor license, which is one of the most highly sought after, most expensive, and difficult liquor licenses to obtain. As a result, it is no surprise that California is now imposing yet another requirement on these licensees. Any licensee that is applying for a new Type 48 liquor license or currently holds on existing Type 48 liquor license is required to offer for sale at a reasonable price or provide for free a drug testing device.

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