Stop AB 178 (the bad California Affiliate Bill)

Currently in the California legislative there is a bill that will force merchants to remove affiliates that live in California from their affiliate marketing programs.

You came here to learn the facts. This blog is about taking action and how you can help.

The situation

AB 178 would establish that California nexus is created when any out of state retailer enters into any marketing agreement with a California resident or business in exchange for compensation or commission, such as by a link, website, or otherwise, which generates referrals in excess of $10,000 in sales. Once nexus is established, AB 178 would require retailers that advertise and receive direct or indirect referrals from online advertising on websites to collect sales tax in California.

When New York State enacted such a bill, 69 retailers immediately severed their relationships with affiliates residing in New York State including Overstock.com and the Home Shopping Network.

We need to stop this legislation and we can! With the support of CalChamber and CalTax, California affiliate marketers and the PMA is launching a coordinated grass-roots campaign that targets congressional representatives. And this bill was killed last year by the CalChamber coalition. But this time opposition is even stronger and so we need to be stronger.

How you can help

We have attack plan that includes sample letters, fact sheets, congressional contacts by zip code, and a “Visit Sacramento” day, to put faces in front of decision makers.

Everything you need to make a difference is on this blog.

• Sign our group letter – we want over 200 businesses to sign this letter. Click here to see the letter and sign up (It's important we gather as many names, company names, as possible. We have made it easy. You just need to leave your name in the comments.)

• Write a letter to your State Assembly Member – this really does make a difference.

Sample letter to write your State Assembly Member here - make sure to personalize it

Find your State Assembly Member here by zip code

Assembly member’s address here - click on the Assembly Member's name, then find their contact info on their web page. Please sent your fax to their local office (not Sacramento). It's best to fax AND email.

• Join our lobby day in Sacramento on March 31. We need to put a human face to this story and the best way to do that is to meet with your Assembly members face-to-face. Brook Schaaf and Karen Garcia are organizing this. You can get in touch with them through their websites.

• Editorial board visits – you can twitter Lisa Picarelle here who is organizing it

For more information contact Beth Kirsch via twitter here.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THIS