California Governor Jerry Brown signed 2 bills that create new legal structures for social entrepreneurs, at the eleventh hour on Sunday, October 9th, 2011.With a few days for the blogosphere and twitterverse to react and inform, here’s a list of blog posts and resources about the new social innovation legislation.(Note: feel free to add on […]
Posts
“Entrepreneurs, investors and consumers are calling for this type of legislation,” said Assemblymember Huffman. “They believe this is the start of something transformational. AB 361 rolls out the welcome mat for businesses and investors ready to create high quality jobs in California and make economic and social contributions that will improve the quality of life in communities across to our state for years to come,” said Assemblymember Jared Huffman (sponsor of AB 361)

JaredHuffman Jared Huffman
Just before midnight @JerryBrownGov signed my benefit corporation bill AB 361! CA now on cutting edge of corporate social responsibility!marc_thibault Marc Thibault
Gov Brown signs into law #BenefitCorp Legislation #AB361. Thx@Jared Huffman, @ASBCouncil, @BCorporation 4ur leadership.
#CA becomes the first State to offer #socent a choice. Brown signs Flexible Purpose and Benefit Corporation legislationbusinessforgood.blogspot.com
California becomes leader in innovation in corporate forms for social entrepreneurs nonprofitlawblog.com/home/2011/10/c… – great move, Governor!
Great news! @JerryBrownGov signed Flexible Purpose Corp & #BenefitCorp #Legislation into law! 1.usa.gov/r3a5C1 #BCorp #socent #impinv
GreenBizConsult Carolina Miranda
California passes #bcorp and green business legislation!http://ht.ly/6SIR1WJF_Competition William James Fnd
Go MoonBeam! Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 361, for CA Benefit Corps. Moving forward… aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_361/2…
Social Innovation Bills in CA signed by Governor Jerry Brown!http://ow.ly/6SNgv #socent #CA dlvr.it/q6sh2 #vgiveadamnTheHubLA The HUB LA
Social Innovation Bills in CA signed by Governor Jerry Brown!http://ow.ly/6SNgv #socent #CAArthurSmid Arthur Smid
California at forefront of progressive legislation: Bill AB 361 – Benefit corporations. Brown signed B corps into law gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17…
Innov8Social Neetal Parekh
@JerryBrownGov signed Into CA Law: AB 361 (#BCorps) & SB 201 (Flexible Purpose Corps) bit.ly/nQtbC1 @BCorporation #socent #socentlaw
Mixtape_Media MixtapeMedia
Yeah, Cali! RT @TheHubLA Social Innovation Bills in CA signed by Governor Jerry Brown! ow.ly/6SNgv #socent #CA
InVentureFund InVenture Fund
#California recognizes #bcorps! http://ow.ly/6SOSY @bcorporation
echoinggreen Echoing Green
.@JerryBrownGov signs Flexible Purpose Corp & #BCorps into law in #California! Great news for #socialinnovation! http://ht.ly/6SPIq #socent
ABLImpact Antony Bugg-Levine
Huge achievement for @BCorporation: @JerryBrownGov signed #BenefitCorp #Legislation into law! http://j.mp/r6IfPR #BCorp #socent #impinv
ZambranoESQ Daniel S. Zambrano
Good news for #socialentreprenuers in #CA: “@BCorporation:@JerryBrownGov signed #BenefitCorp #Legislation!http://j.mp/r6IfPR #BCorp”
shawnlandres Shawn Landres
Great news: @JerryBrownGov has signed Flexible Purpose Corps & #BCorps into law! http://j.mp/r6IfPR @BCorporation #socent #impinv #socentlaw
CultivatingCap Cultivating Capital
Great news: Governor Brown signed Benefit Corporation and Green Business legislation! fb.me/zC5Rt1PR
CauseWire Mickie Kennedy
California Benefit Corporation and Flexible Purpose Corporation: California Governor Jerry Brown anno… bit.ly/rtG5Wt #nonprofit
greenchamber Green Chamber
California Passes Benefit Corporation and Green Business via@CultivatingCap http://ow.ly/6SO95
EucalyptusMag Eucalyptus Magazine
New legislation in CA. fb.me/1mTL0Ol3Y
lornali Lorna Li Social SEO
RT @TheHubLA – Social Innovation Bills in CA signed by Governor Jerry Brown! http://ow.ly/6SNgv _#socent_ #CA dlvr.it/q6zdC
BCorporation B Corporation
Great news: @JerryBrownGov has signed #BenefitCorp #Legislation into law! http://j.mp/r6IfPR #BCorp #CA #news#socent #impinv #socentlaw
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California is #6
The passage of the benefit corporation legislation makes California the 6th state to recognize a new form of corporation that is for-profit and committed to creating a positive impact on society and the environment. California joins Maryland, Vermont, Hawaii, Virginia, and New Jersey in the benefit corporation club.
A Look Back
If you have been following the benefit corporation legislation movement on the B Corporation public policy page, here on Innov8Social, or on any number of sites following the developments, you may have been awaiting the midnight decision.
You can catch up on the progress of AB 361 in California:
- starting from the Senate Committee on Banking & Finance,
- to CA Senate Judiciary Committee hearing,
- past the Senate Appropriations Committee,
- to the Senate Floor,
- back to to State Assembly, and
- to the Governor’s Desk.
A Look Ahead
Attorney Donald Simon Defines 3 Terms Related to AB 361 (Benefit Corporations) [VIDEO]
Attorney Donald Simon’s Q & A on California Benefit Corporation Legislation [VIDEO]
Meet Attorney Donald Simon
Watch the Interview
Terms to Know
Shift in Business As UsualWhether you think of the move towards a greener economy as quick turn to consider more than a singular bottom line, or you view it as part of the gradual evolution of the way business is done–you will have noted a shift in business as usual.Former President Bill Clinton recently discussed the changing economy, and interconnected role of private and public sectors in an interview about jobs and the green economy.
The Update on AB 361
Despite the interview’s consideration of terms that will come into effect ‘once’ the bill is passed, in reality, there is no guarantee that AB 361 will become new law. It is currently awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s review. You can read a full update on AB 361 here, and also learn how to support these efforts to enact legislation supporting social entrepreneurship.Related Posts:
- Fact Sheet for AB 361 (California Benefit Corporation)
- Sign the Care2 Petition to Support Benefit Corporations (AB 361) in California
- AB 361 Passes CA Assembly. On to Governor Brown for Approval!
- California State Assemblymember Huffman Talks About AB 361 [VIDEO]
- Attorney Donald Simon’s Q & A on California Benefit Corporation Legislation [VIDEO]
If you have been following the news of AB 361–the CA bill that would create a new corporate form for social enterprise called a benefit corporation. You may be wondering about the status of the bill.In Review
As a quick summary, AB 361 passed in a vote in the California Assembly on Monday August 29th 2011. It has been forwarded to Governor Jerry Brown’s Office for final approval.
The Update
After speaking with the office of Assemblymember Jared Huffman, sponsor of AB 361, the update is that Governor has until October 9, 2011 to make a final decision on the bill.
What You Can Do
Here are a few things that can make you a savvy social enterprise citizen and supporter.
1. Become better informed about AB 361. You can take a spin through a few of the recent posts on AB 361, visit Assemblymember Huffman’s page, or read about the policy and similar legislation that has passed in other states on the B Lab website.
2. Learn about other social enterprise initiatives in CA. Learn about the key features of AB 361 and SB 201—which would create flexible purpose corporations in California, and which is also at the Governor’s desk. The 2 bills are not mutually exclusive—i.e. they both can be passed.
3. Sign the Care2 petition in support of AB 361. You can read more about the petition and use the widget here. It is a quick and easy way to show your support.
4. Write a letter to Governor Brown’s office. With nearly a month of time on the clock, there is ample opportunity to get involved and write in your support for corporate structures for social enterprise. You can read a sample letter here.


Go to Care2 petition for CA benefit corporation: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/993/713/047/
Or use the widget below
window.Care2Widgets.add({rssPath:”http://www.thepetitionsite.com/xml/petitions/993/713/047/feed.swf”, adSize:”180×250″, publisherID:”1249″, borderColor: “#000000”, buttonColor: “#1aaca6″, grabbed:”0”});
1. Send an email or letter of support to Governor Brown. Read more on where to send here.
2. Keep up with the latest news on AB 361. Stay tuned to news from B Lab blog, or on any of the websites mentioned above, and right here on Innov8Social.
3. Read the Official Fact sheet on AB 361. Take a look at the official AB 361 fact sheet released by Assemblymember Huffman’s office. It contains information on the benefit corporation legislation, its background, requirements, as well as a partial list of supporters and opposition.
4. Get plugged in to the LinkedIn conversations on AB 361. There have been a number of discussions started on LinkedIn regarding California’s benefit corporation legislation. Take a look here and here and share your thoughts.
California’s version of the benefit corporation legislation is AB 361. And perhaps what is most appealing is the simplicity and unintrusiveness of the bill. It is voluntary—a choice for boards of directors to discuss, and for shareholders to decide.
If anything, AB 361 is starting this chat with a question…if we create a new type of business to recognize social enterprise, will they come?
Passing AB 361 lets this question be asked to California businesses and consumers. Read below to read Innov8Social’s letter of support for AB 361 to Governor Jerry Brown.
Letter of Support for AB 361
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AB 361 (Benefit Corporation) Passes CA Assembly (News Release)
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*Note: These numbers have been updated from the when the post was originally posted (50-14) to reflect the final official vote count.
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