Advertising: business location representations: floral businesses.

Existing law provides for the regulation of advertising in this state and makes certain advertising practices unlawful. A violation of the provisions regulating advertising is a misdemeanor. This bill would make it an infraction, punishable by a fine not to exceed $250, for a provider or vendor of floral or ornamental products or services, as defined, to misrepresent the geographic location of its business by either (1) listing a local telephone number in any listing or advertisement, unless the advertisement or listing identifies the true physical address, including the city, of the provider's or vendor's business; or (2) listing a fictitious business name or an assumed business name in any listing or advertisement, if the name misrepresents the location of the business and the listing or advertisement does not identify the true physical address of the business. This bill would also state that it does not create or impose any obligation or duty upon a person other than a vendor or provider as described above. By creating new advertising prohibitions, the violation of which would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.