FSC: Calif. Adult Industry Tax Bill Amended for the Worse

SACRAMENTO — Amendments to California Assembly Bill 1551 were released Monday, and according to the FSC the changes only strengthened the FSC’s opposition to the measure.

“This whole thing is just so absurd, we simply must kill this bill while it is still in front of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee,” FSC Executive Director Diane Duke told XBIZ. “The good news is that these amendments make it even easier for us to fight the bill, because they’re just so outrageous.”

The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Charles Calderon, D-Whittier, proposes a tax on all adult entertainment businesses in California, based on claims that adult entertainment venues cause negative secondary effects.

Among the new stipulations, the amendments announced Monday sets the tax at 8 percent of gross revenues, adds in satellite TV providers, specifies that the tax of pay-per-view purchasers is to be collected by hotel owners or operators, and establishes a new tax collection agency.

The provisions making it clear that the new tax also would affect hotels could create a potent new ally for the FSC in their fight against the bill, Duke said.

“Obviously [the hospitality industry] will be concerned about this bill as well,” Duke said.

Duke said that should the bill pass, the negative impact on the adult industry would be severe and profound, and would create a ripple effect that goes well beyond the California-based adult industry.

“This tax will not only devastate the adult entertainment industry, but also severely affect vendors that support the industry, hotels and cable networks as well,” Duke said. “I find it ironic that in 2007, when California Republicans have signed a contract agreeing to no new taxes, Calderon is proposing a devastating new tax that creates an additional tax-collection agency, with the accompanying costs of new bureaucracy.”

The FSC is calling on members of the adult industry and industry-support professionals to attend a hearing on July 9 and express their opposition to the legislation. The hearing will take place at the State Capitol building in Sacramento, before the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 126.

The hearing schedule is subject to change; call the Free Speech Coalition at (818) 348-9373 for the latest information.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Le Wand Dive Gets Wired.com Review

Le Wand Dive has been spotlighted by WIRED with a review by tech and lifestyle journalist Amanda Chatel.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Blush Introduces 'Splash' Vibe

Blush has debuted its new duck-themed Splash vibrator.

SVibe Debuts 2 New Vibrators

SVibe has introduced the new Snail GIZI Duo and Snail AXI Spot Wand.

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Show More