Brand-new toys from Disney, Marvel and more!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Living

Women will be required on corporate boards in California, new landmark law says

VIDEO: Uber CEO on whether government should force companies to put women on Boards
1:13
Uber CEO weighs in on whether companies should be forced to put women on boards
ABCNews.com
ByKatie Kindelan
October 01, 2018, 11:25 am

More women will have a seat at corporate tables in California after a bill was signed into law Sunday by the governor.

The measure signed by Gov. Jerry Brown requires California-based, public corporations to have at least one female director on their boards, by the end of next year.

By the end of 2021, companies with "principal executive offices" in the state would be required to have up to three female directors, depending on the number of board seats.

"Given all the special privileges that corporations have enjoyed for so long, it’s high time corporate boards include the people who constitute more than half the 'persons' in America,” Brown said in a statement.

Companies could face fines of up to $300,000 if they don’t comply.

Editor’s Picks

Actress Emily Mortimer shares the worst advice that she almost took

  • Oct 01, 2018

Jo Malone on finding your calling, and the great advice she got from Oprah

  • Sep 18, 2018

The measure also requires transparency. The California Secretary of State will publish reports online documenting the corporations that are in compliance with the provisions.

The law makes California the first state with a government mandate not to have all-male boards.

PHOTO: In this file photo shows the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., March 30, 2017.
In this file photo shows the California State Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., March 30, 2017.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The bill, which passed the Senate and House last month, was introduced by two Democratic state senators who are women. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, said that passing the bill represents "another glass ceiling is shattered."

Jackson and the bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Toni Atkins, cited a 2017 report that found one-fourth of California's public companies have no women on their boards of directors. Among the companies that do have women on their boards, women hold only 15.5 percent of the seats.

As to why the government should get involved, Jackson and Atkins cite research that shows it could take as many as 50 years to achieve gender parity, if something is not done proactively.

The CEO of Uber, a California-based company, told ABC News' Rebecca Jarvis last month that he would rather leave it to the media, not government, to call out companies that do not have female representation.

Uber currently has three women on its 12-member board of directors.

"I think that any CEO out there, any chairman of a board believes it’s smart, believes that it is actually in his or her business interest to improve representation and diversity at the board level, at the management level and at all levels of the company," said Dara Khosrowshahi. "If you’re doing it because of regulation, you are late to the game."

The California Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill, calling it "likely unconstitutional" and, among other faults, a violation of California's Civil Rights statute.

Gov. Brown acknowledged legal objections that may make the law hard to implement, but said, "Nevertheless, recent events in Washington, D.C. -- and beyond -- make it crystal clear that many are not getting the message."

PHOTO: Gov. Jerry Brown reviews a measure with staff members Camille Wagner, left, Graciela Castillo-Krings at his Capitol office, Sept. 30, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif.
Gov. Jerry Brown reviews a measure with staff members Camille Wagner, left, Graciela Castillo-Krings at his Capitol office, Sept. 30, 2018, in Sacramento, Calif.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Brown copied the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on his signing message. The Republican-led Committee last week heard testimony from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a California professor, about her sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

The signing of the law comes at the one-year anniversary of the #MeToo movement that saw countless women -- including many in California -- speak out about sexual misconduct and also how it may have negatively affected their careers.

On the political front, women are running for elected office this year in historic and never-before-seen numbers, and they are winning.

But, the law also comes as a prominent female chief executive officer, PepsiCo's Indra Nooyi, prepares to step down from her role Wednesday. Many say her departure is part of a continuing decline of women CEOs. Nooyi, who led PepsiCo for 12 years, will be replaced by a man, Ramon Laguarta.

Editor’s Picks

Actress Emily Mortimer shares the worst advice that she almost took

  • Oct 01, 2018

Jo Malone on finding your calling, and the great advice she got from Oprah

  • Sep 18, 2018
Up Next in Living—

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

Candace Kanavel to become 1st law enforcement officer to compete in Miss USA

September 28, 2023

Up Next in Living—

Lunar watchers treated to the sight of 2023's last supermoon

September 29, 2023

Gen Z is burdened by student loan debt, and now many are facing payments for 1st time

September 29, 2023

Michigan music teachers bring orchestra to life for middle schoolers

September 28, 2023

Candace Kanavel to become 1st law enforcement officer to compete in Miss USA

September 28, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News