Advocacy | What is Advocacy | Advocacy Resources | About AB 5
(April 17, 2020) Lorena Gonzalez Announces Pending Changes to How AB 5 Applies to the Music Industry
Read Assemblywoman Gonzalez's full announcement here.
According the terms of the amended language, musicians performing in symphony orchestras are still subject to the terms of AB 5 because the nature of their work inherently draws a significant level of control and direction from their employer.
As we learn more, we will keep you updated and we will continue to provide you with resources and information to help you comply with the law. In addition, below is information you should know as well as urgent ways to take action. Keep checking back for updates. We will also continue to reach out to our members about the impact of AB 5 and you can contact us at [email protected] or 800-495-2276 x1.
We highly encourage you to keep yourself informed and to contact legal counsel if you have access to it. If you do not have legal counsel, you can contact California Lawyers for the Arts for their Lawyer Referral and Information Services, or Californians for the Arts has provided a list of employment lawyers who may be able to answer questions.
CORRECTIONS BILL
Corrections Bill AB 1850 was introduced on January 6 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, the author of AB 5, to enact legislation that will further clarify the new law. California Arts Advocates is working with the author’s office and several other legislators to try to get additional exemptions or clarifications, such as for short-term engagements (one-time or occasional gigs) and also for workers providing limited engagement services to small-budget (under $250k) tax exempt organizations.
DEFINITION OF "FINE ARTIST" IS UNCLEAR
One of the professional services that is exempted in AB 5 is "fine artist," but there is no clarification or definition about what kind of work that includes; thereby it is subject to interpretation. Assemblymember Gonzalez has stated on several occasions that "fine artist” may cover more than just visual artists. “Obviously, a muralist is a fine artist,” she says. “A musician is a fine artist.” And “I think as our world changes, the definition of a fine artist changes,” she says. “This is going to be an ongoing discussion.”
RESOURCES
