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CDA’s Priority Legislation Signed into Law
With the State Legislature acting on hundreds of bills during the final weeks of session, the Governor has acted on a number of key CDA priority bills ahead of the September 30th deadline to sign or veto legislation. We are pleased to report the Governor signed each of CDA’s bills which are important for downtown economic recovery, mental health reform, and improving operational efficiencies for BIDs.
CDA Priority: Senate Bill 969 – Take-out Service within Entertainment Zones
CDA supported SB 969 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) which was signed into law by the Governor Newsom last week. Beginning January 1, 2025, local jurisdictions will be able to create designated outdoor “entertainment zones” that will enable local brick-and-mortar bars and restaurants to sell takeout alcoholic beverages to patrons for consumption at street fairs, outdoor festivals, and other activations within those zones. SB 969 will aid the recovery of downtown small businesses by removing barriers to brick-and-mortar businesses participating in nearby outdoor events, like street fairs and festivals.
Governor Signs Senate Bill 1103 – Lease Protections, Notices and Operating Costs Limits
Throughout the legislative session, CDA has been actively negotiating key provisions of Senate Bill 1103 by Sen. Menjivar (D-Burbank), which would have placed onerous transparency and proportionality requirements for fees a landlord may charge certain tenants to recover building operating costs. After months of negotiations with the author’s office and sponsors, CDA successfully secured amendments that specifically exempt BID assessments from the requirements of the bill and moved to a neutral position.
Anticipating the Legislature would ultimately pass the bill, and the likelihood the Governor would sign it, CDA’s strategy proved to be a critical strategic decision that ultimately will protect BIDs from the bill’s requirements and serve as a foundation for how the legislature might treat these issues should additional legislation in this area be introduced in future sessions.
Select Committee on Downtown Recovery Tour Downtown Across California
CDA continues to work closely with Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), the Chair of the Select Committee on Downtown Recovery, as the committee develops its work for the fall and in the 2025-26 legislative session. Over the next several months, the Committee will be collaborating with CDA and its members to organize legislative tours of downtowns in San Francisco, San Jose, Long Beach, and San Diego. The Committee is also working on developing their hearing agendas for next year with topics including entertainment zones and nightlife, land use and zoning, and public safety. CDA will have a front-row seat to this process and will have the opportunity to elevate legislative issues through the Select Committee’s work.
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