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This summer, whether you are traveling to one of our state’s worldclass coastal towns, hiking in one of our unparallelled parks, or visiting the happiest place on Earth, you will be able to enjoy all the summer fun California has to offer without getting burned by hidden fees.
As of July 1, the Honest Pricing Law (SB 478) makes it illegal for most businesses to disguise the true price of their goods or services in hidden fees. Simply put: the price you see, is the price you pay.
Across the state and nation, people feel pinched on everything from the cost of housing to healthcare to gas. I was proud to co-sponsor this law, because consumers deserve clear and honest pricing so they can make financial choices that are best for them and their families. With this new law, Californians and all those vacationing here can check out the best of the Golden State while knowing what to expect at check out.
At your service,
Rob
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Enjoying California — Without Hidden Fees
 As SB 478 goes into effect, I want consumers to be aware of their rights and feel confident to advocate for the price transparency it provides. We all win when laws are followed. Consumers, employees, and competitor businesses who observe apparent violations can bring them to our attention by visiting oag.ca.gov/report.
The requirements of SB 478 can be enforced by my office, District Attorneys, certain County Counsels, certain City Attorneys, and — subject to the Consumer Legal Remedies Act’s existing notice process — through private litigation.
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Protecting Health Services for San Francisco Residents
 This week, I announced a settlement agreement reached cooperatively with The Regents of the University of California and UCSF Health regarding their purchase of Dignity Health's two San Francisco hospitals, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital.
As part of the settlement, The Regents/UCSF Health commit to maintain services for the unhoused and Medi-Cal and Medicare beneficiaries, provide $430 million in capital investments, protect competition in the healthcare market, and safeguard the affordability of and access to services for residents of San Francisco.
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Holding East Oakland Metal Foundry Accountable
 I also announced a $2.5 million multi-party settlement with AB&I Foundry, which manufactured cast-iron and metal pipe fittings in East Oakland until 2022. While we cannot undo the harm AB&I caused by unlawfully emitting hexavalent chromium — an extremely potent carcinogen — into the air, the settlement holds the company accountable, provides critical health services to community members, and trains local students in environmental science and advocacy strategies.
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Warning Californians about Text-Based Toll Charge Scams
 Following an uptick in text-based scams claiming consumers owe express lane or toll charges and asking for online payment, I issued a consumer alert urging Californians to take practical steps to guard against being victimized by scammers.
The bottom line: FasTrak, the electronic toll collection system used statewide in California, does not request payment by text with a link to a website.
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Regulating Ghost Guns
 In addition, this week I urged the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals striking down a federal rule that would help law enforcement protect communities from ghost guns or illegal firearms that lack a serial number. In the state of California, we have seen firsthand the effectiveness of our commonsense gun laws, and it is imperative that similar laws are implemented nationwide.
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General IV, Health Education & Welfare
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, Antitrust Law
Deputy Attorney General IV, DMFEA Civil Section
Deputy Attorney General III, Employment Law
Deputy Attorney General III, Environmental Justice
Senior Assistant Attorney General, Tort and Condemnation
Information Officer II, Office of Communications
Quality Assurance and Testing Specialist, Enterprise Services Bureau
Personnel Liaison, Public Rights Executive Unit
Investigative Auditor II, Bureau of Gambling Control
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Post of the Week
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FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert Warning Against Illegal Price Gouging Following Governor’s Emergency Declaration in Butte County
Attorney General Bonta Releases California Criminal Justice Statistical Reports for 2023
Attorney General Bonta Urges DHS To Extend Deferred Action in Workers Witness Cooperation Cases
Attorney General Bonta, The Regents/UCSF Health Enter into Cooperative Settlement Agreement to Protect Health Services for San Francisco Residents
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Video of the Week
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Resource Corner
 I issued a consumer alert following Governor Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency for Butte County due to the Thompson Fire, which has burned thousands of acres and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. Those who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to my office at oag.ca.gov/report.
You can learn more here.
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