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July 3, 2024

CalChamber and Business Groups Bring PAGA Deal Together

Governor Newsom, legislative leadership and business and labor groups announced an agreement on needed reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) that avoids a contentious ballot measure campaign this Fall. The agreement aims to strengthen worker protections, encourage employer compliance, and streamline litigation processes. 


The CalChamber and California New Car Dealers Association have led on this issue with the FixPAGA coalition, qualified a ballot measure, and worked through a contentious negotiation to bring a deal together.

BOMA California applauds the agreement and its meaningful reforms to have labor claims resolved and prevent unnecessary litigation costing employers billions. We appreciate the work of CalChamber and New Car Dealers and all aligned organizations in the efforts to secure this historic agreement. 

New Retail Theft Initiative Introduced, Withdrawn

On Sunday evening, a competing measure to the retail theft initiative known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft Reduction Act was unveiled meant to thwart the existing ballot measure.  


The original initiative, sponsored by the California District Attorneys Association and supported by many business, neighborhood, law enforcement, and victim’s rights advocates, as well as commercial real estate groups, addresses theft and organized retail crime, confronts the fentanyl crisis in our communities, and provides mental health and drug treatment services. BOMA California has endorsed the Homelessness, Drug Addition & Theft Reduction Act.


Both measures seek reforms to Proposition 47, the 2014 ballot measure which many believe has led to the increase in retail theft and related crimes. Citing not enough time to work on his initiative, the Governor withdrew his measure last night, after it has passed an initial legislative hearing.


We applaud the Governor for focusing on this important issue and look forward to working this Fall with the large coalition seeking to course correct on Prop. 47. We also applaud the Legislature for passing a package of bipartisan bills that will work in conjunction with the initiative to get a handle on retail theft and drug addiction/mental health issues that are plaguing our state.


To learn more about this proposition click here. If you or your company would like to directly help with this reform reply to this email and we can help!


Legislative Progress: Adaptive Reuse Bills Advance Toward Final Senate Vote

Two of BOMA California's priority bills are advancing through second house committees and are now heading to the Senate for a final vote. Both bills successfully passed out of the Senate Housing Committee on Tuesday with Senior Director of Government Relations, Skyler Wonnacott, testifying in support of the legislation.

 

AB 3068 (Haney; D-San Francisco) is designed to encourage the conversion of existing nonresidential buildings into residential or mixed-use spaces. AB 2910 (Santiago; D-Los Angeles) seeks to make use of underutilized commercial buildings for residential purposes.

BOMA California Administrator Matthew Hargrove (pictured here) testified in today's Senate Local Government Committee meeting in support of AB 2243 (Wicks; D-Oakland) which would revise the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022 in order to streamline development. These bills represent significant steps forward in addressing California's housing crisis by leveraging existing infrastructure for new residential uses.

Register for CCRES by July 23rd to Save $50!

Summer is upon us, and that can only mean one thing - The California Commercial Real Estate Summit is just around the corner. Our industry's annual advocacy event returns to Sacramento on August 13th-14th. This is your chance to meet with your state representatives to advocate for our industry while connecting with your fellow leaders in commercial real estate. This year we have new and improved event venues to maximize your experience!

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Governor and Legislature Approve '24-'25 Budget

On Saturday, Governor Newsom signed bills to approve the '24-'25 fiscal year budget deal approved by the Legislature last week. The $298 billion budget includes widespread budget cuts in the tune of $16 billion in an attempt to close the multibillion-dollar budget deficit. 


Cuts were made to state government operations, prisons, housing programs and health care workforce development. The state also plans to pull $12 billion from its rainy day fund over the next two years as another means of addressing the deficit. The new budget took effect on Monday, July 1st.

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Industry Awards Dinner - Back And Better Than Before!

Join us at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the dazzling new location for the Industry Awards Dinner! You'll be taken on a guided tour prior to the start of the event and will catch up with peers over bites and beverages. 


Next, you'll be treated to our refreshed event program as we honor deserving individuals and organizations - including some exciting new award categories. Save the date for November 7th!

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