California Lawmakers Vote to Increase Fines Under Antitrust Law

Companies violating state antitrust laws in California would face bigger financial penalties under a bill approved by the state legislature on Saturday.

The measure (SB 763) authored by state Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D), would increase the maximum criminal penalty for companies violating California’s Cartwright Act to $6 million from $1 million. The measure would also allow courts to fine individuals up to $1 million, instead of $250,000, and courts would be able to impose a new civil penalty of up to $1 million.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) backs the changes, arguing that some companies may view ...