A decisive ruling from the United States District Court has marked the latest chapter in the legal battle over California´s AB5 law. Judge Roger Benitez rejected the trucking industry´s arguments and confirmed the validity of AB5 and its ABC test for classifying workers as employees or independent contractors.

The backstory to this case dates back to the enactment of AB5 in 2019, followed by a preliminary injunction that blocked its enforcement against the trucking industry. However, after a series of appeals, AB5 remained in effect, prompting the industry to challenge its constitutionality.

In this latest ruling, the Court dismissed the industry´s arguments, stating that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act did not preempt AB5 and did not violate the Dormant Commerce Clause or equal protection principles. Furthermore, the Court addressed the controversial "B2B exemption," indicating that federal truth-in-leasing obligations did not prevent carriers from meeting this exemption.

Despite criticisms and disagreements, Judge Benitez clarified that discussions about AB5 belong in the political realm, not the judicial one. This raises significant implications for the trucking industry in California, where many operators have already adjusted their business models to comply with the law.
While the CTA and OOIDA consider their legal options, AB5 has been in effect for over four years and has been enforced since mid-2022. Compliance with the law is now a priority for responsible carriers. This ruling marks a milestone in the labor and economic regulation of trucking in California, a topic that will continue to be debated in political and legal arenas.