A state lawmaker has removed key provisions of an arbitration ethics bill in the face of ongoing opposition from private-judging companies and business groups.

State Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, late last week dropped language from SB 940 that would have barred arbitrators from accepting jobs or new cases from lawyers or parties who are currently appearing before them. The bill will now move ahead with less controversial mandates, including one requiring companies to arbitrate California-based consumer claims in the Golden State.