Daily Business Report-Jan. 2, 2013

More Than 800 New Laws Take Effect in California More than 800 new laws go into effect in 2013 in California. Many of the new laws reflect some of the hot-button issues brought up over the past year, such as Internet privacy, health care and immigration. Here are a few of the laws: * A new law bans employers in California from demanding access toworkers’ password-protected social networking accounts. But employers may continue to use publicly available social networking information. So inappropriate pictures, tweets and other social media indiscretions can still come back to haunt them. * California approved a law exempting clergy members opposed to gay marriage from performing same-sex marriage ceremonies. * Also, a first-of-its-kind law will ban a form of psychotherapy aimed at making gay teenagers straight but is on hold during a court challenge. The law would ban what is known as reparative or conversion therapy for minors; such therapies are widely discredited by medical professionals. * California coaches and administrators in K-12 schools, as well as higher education employees who have regular contact with children, will be required to report suspected child sexual abuse. * Another law bans the use of dogs when hunting bobcats or bears. * Some young undocumented immigrants will be able to get a driver license. Californians between the ages of 16 and 31 who qualify for President Obama’s work permit program will also be eligible for a license. * Potential California voters could potentially register to vote on election day with a provisional ballot, as long as the conditional voter registration is deemed effective. Same-day registration will be permitted once the Secretary of State certifies California’s new statewide voter database VoteCal. * In the health care sector, another new law mandates that after getting a mammogram, women must be informed if they have dense breast tissue. * A new law requires that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in condominiums and apartments. * a six-bill package expands homeowner rights against foreclosure. A key provision bars “dual tracking” by which lenders proceed toward foreclosure while discussing possible loan modifications.

State of the Region Program Slated for Jan. 10

The San Diego North Chamber of Commerce hosts a Jan. 10 State of the Region program featuring presentations by California State Controller John Chiang, Erik Bruvold of the National University Institute System for Policy Research and Joe Ahn, an executive with Northrop Grumman. The program will address the current regional business environment and provide an economic forecast for the San Diego North community. The program will be held at Sony Electronics, 16535 Via Esprillo in San Diego. Admission is $49 for chamber members and $69 for nonmembers. To reserve, call (858) 487-1767. Chiang will give an overview of the state’s financial and fiscal position and give an economic forecast for 2013. Bruvold will review several high-level findings from the recent San Diego North Chamber sponsored Unmanned Aerial Vehicles report that noted the contributions the UAV industry makes to the San Diego region. Ahn will discuss the collective value of the San Diego UAV and defense industry. Check in: 11:30 a.m. Presentations noon to 1:30 p.m.

IDE Technologies Gets Desalination Project Contracts

IDE Technologies has signed a contract with Kiewit Shea Desalination to design and supply equipment for the Carlsbad Desalination Project. The company also has contracted with Poseidon Resources for operation and maintenance of the plant for 30 years. “The Carlsbad Desalination Project is a significant milestone for us, California and the U.S. at large, as we believe it will set the stage for the future of desalination in America,” said Avshalom Felber, CEO of IDE Technologies.

Scott Peters to Take His Place in the House

On Thursday, Representative-Elect Scott Peters will take the oath of office with the other members of 113th Congress. The Vice-President and the Speaker of the House will administer the oath during the first session of the 113th Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives at 9 a.m. PST. “I’m honored and eager to be taking the oath of office next week. Personally, it will be the culmination of an exciting year for my family and me,” Peters said in a report by Scoop San Diego. “But mostly, I am enthusiastic about getting to work for San Diego.” On the morning of the swearing-in, Peters and his family will participate in a bi-partisan prayer service at St. Peters Catholic Church in D.C. Additionally, on Jan. 3 Peters will host an Open House in his Capitol Hill office, to celebrate the occasion.

Scripps Center Physician Installed as President of
American Board of Integrative  Holistic Medicine

Mimi Guarneri, founder of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, has been installed as 2013 president of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. The board supports the personal and professional development of physicians through education and certification in the field of integrative holistic medicine. As an attending physician in Scripps Clinic’s interventional cardiology program, Guarneri placed thousands of coronary stents during the mid-1990s. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to cardiovascular disease, she founded the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in 1999. The center offers state-of-the-art imaging technology, clinical research, education and lifestyle change programs to aggressively diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Guarneri received her medical degree from State University of New York Medical Center.

Port to Hire Fundraiser

The Port is getting ready to spend $50,000 to hire a fundraiser to find donors to support a $6 million-$8 million project that would line the Coronado bridge with LED lights, the Reader reports. A study about the feasibility of the project, estimated to cost $750,000, is pending.

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The Daily Business Report is produced by SD METRO.

Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.

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