CA Trucking: Court Says “AB5 Does Not Violate Constitution”

California’s AB5 law, a big topic in the trucking world, recently got the thumbs-up from a U.S. District Court. The judge said AB5 doesn’t break any constitutional rules and that any problems with it should be fixed through politics, not in court.

Judge’s Take on AB5

Judge Roger Benitez pointed out that the best way to deal with AB5’s tricky parts is through public discussion and voting, not by asking courts to change the law. The lawsuit by the California Trucking Association (CTA) and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) argued that AB5 would mess up the trucking industry’s way of working and was against the Constitution. However, the judge didn’t agree and said the law stands.

What’s AB5 All About?

Back in 2019, California introduced AB5, setting new rules on who can be called an independent contractor. According to AB5’s tests, most truck drivers would need to be employees, not contractors. This change could shake up the traditional way trucking companies do business.

After AB5 became law, the CTA tried to fight it in court, saying it clashed with federal rules. They managed to stop the law from affecting truckers for a while, but the Supreme Court decided not to review the case, leaving truckers to face AB5’s changes.

The Court’s Decision

The court said that AB5 doesn’t unfairly target business across state lines, which means it’s not against the Constitution. Judge Benitez noted that while AB5 might have some negative effects on the economy, these don’t prove the law is biased against businesses from other states.

Don’t Miss:

• USDOT Is Combatting Human Trafficking on America’s Highways
• Mack Trucks and UAW Still At Odds: No End In Sight
• Mack Trucks: UAW Workers Strike, Reject Proposed Contract
• Truck Driver that Killed Woman Didn’t Have Proper License
• Truck Drivers: Top 10 Things a Commercial Driver Should Know
• Economic Trucking Trends: Loss of Capacity to Drive Recovery
• Diesel Prices Continue to Surge: Truckers’ Survival Guide

Looking Ahead for Truckers

With this ruling, the future looks tough for those hoping to block AB5 from affecting trucking in California. Appeals might be possible but don’t seem very likely to win. This means trucking companies and drivers need to start thinking about how to work with AB5.

Reactions to the Ruling

OOIDA and CTA are not happy about the decision. They say AB5 is causing confusion and problems for independent truckers, who now have to figure out how to keep their businesses running under these new rules. Both groups are thinking about what to do next, including whether to appeal the decision.

What This Means for Trucking

So far, there hasn’t been much action to enforce AB5 in the trucking industry. But companies are watching closely, especially those that hire drivers under certain agreements that AB5 might not allow. The trucking industry is trying to adapt, but it’s a challenging time for everyone involved.

The court’s support for AB5 marks a big moment for trucking in California. It shows the importance of getting involved in politics and voting to shape the laws that affect the industry. As truckers and companies figure out their next steps, they’ll need to consider how to adjust to these new rules and keep their businesses going strong.

For more information and articles from the trucking industry, follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our Truck Driver News newsletter.