In the Media

CAPITOL WEEKLY: An obscure California commission is about to rewrite the state’s antitrust law

05. 29. 2024

Economic Security CA Director Teri Olle discusses California's Cartwright Act with the Capitol Weekly podcast.

Originally published by the Capitol Weekly podcast:

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: While California is often seen as being on the forefront of Progressive legislation, the state’s main anti-trust law, The Cartwright Act, dates back to the Roosevelt era – the TEDDY Roosevelt era, that is – 1907, to be exact. The Cartwright Act is often invoked in tandem with the federal anti-trust statute, The Sherman Act of 1890, but in fact, the federal law has stricter proscriptions against monopolies than the California legislation. That may be about to change.

In 2022, the legislature passed a resolution tasking the California Law Revision Commission (CLRC) with providing recommendations on how to update The Cartwright Act. The CLRC set up a series of working groups to prepare in depth reports on a set of seven specific issues – the working groups have published their reports, which are now being discussed at a series of public meetings. After these meetings, the CLRC will prepare a final report with recommendations for the legislature, teeing up new legislation to update The Cartwright Act in 2025.

We’re joined today by Teri Olle, Director of Economic Security California. She walks us through the specifics of what The Cartwright Act does, how it differs from the Sherman Act, and why updating it for the 21st Century matters.