The California legislature is prepared to again move forward with franchise relations legislation that will restore some semblance of balance to the franchisee/franchisor relationship in the Golden State.  AB 525, filed jointly by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, is scheduled for a hearing next week in the state capitol in Sacramento.  Among other provisions, the bill would require a 60-day notice and cure period prior to termination, prohibit franchisors from preventing a sale, transfer or assignment of an agreement to a qualified party, and all franchisees to receive damages or fair market value of franchise assets upon franchisor’s failure to renew.  We would encourage our subscribers to contact California franchisees and encourage them to send letters of support for the California Franchise Relations Act (AB 525) to the Assembly as soon as they can.