(SACRAMENTO, CA) — Today the California Senate Appropriations Committee passed Assembly Bill 1776 (AB 1776), the Competition and Opportunity in Markets for a Prosperous, Equitable and Transparent Economy (COMPETE) Act, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D–Winters). The bill would modernize California’s antitrust laws by closing a longstanding loophole and strengthen tools to hold dominant corporations accountable for unlawful conduct.
“As long as the bill continues to protect our small businesses, workers, and consumers, I’ll consider that a win. If we can get this across the finish line, then we have an opportunity to make California’s economy more competitive, more innovative, and more open to everyone—not just the most powerful corporations,” said Aguiar-Curry. “I’ll keep fighting for a COMPETE Act that makes sure no dominant corporation is above the law.”
The COMPETE Act is based on the unanimous recommendations of the California Law Revision Commission after more than three years of independent study and input from legal and antitrust experts, economists, and other stakeholders. The bill would promote competition and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers, while exempting small businesses and preserving legitimate practices such as discounts and price matching. California is one of only five states without this core antitrust protection.
The Senate Appropriations Committee removed the private right of action, a central point of debate. The attorney general and district attorneys, however, retain the full enforcement authority available under the Cartwright Act to hold corporate predators accountable.
“I’m disappointed the private right of action was gutted and want to make sure that the bill still helps the consumers, workers, and businesses that have been harmed by mega-corporations. We’ve been trying to modernize our antitrust laws for decades, and I worry we’ll be waiting 10 or 20 years before there’s another opportunity to give Californians the level of protection they would have had under a PRA,” said Aguiar-Curry. “But I’m proud of this effort so far and look forward to continuing our work to pass this important legislation to protect our California small businesses and working families.”
###
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California’s 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake, Colusa, Napa, and Yolo Counties, and part of Sonoma County. She serves as the Assembly Majority Leader and Chair of the California Women’s Legislative Caucus.
