CRA Member Newsletter

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November 22, 2024 | CRA Newsletter: 2025 Advocacy Days and Legislative Reception, Election Recap, Regulatory and Other Updates

Message from the President

Dear CRA members –


The recent general election has brought significant change to California and the nation, with new legislative shifts poised to impact various industries. Certainly, the voters in California sent clear messages on public safety and affordability with the California Republican Party picking up legislative seats for the first time in ten years. 


Proposition 36, which rolled back aspects of Proposition 47, passed in EVERY California county. Coupled with the 11 bills that were in the Legislative Retail Theft Package signed by the Governor, California now has some of the strictest retail theft laws in the nation. Quite a change from what we were dealing with just a few short years ago. A HUGE thank you to those of you who have worked with CRA over the past four years as we advocated for public safety reforms and educated the Governor’s office, the Attorney General and the Legislature on this important issue.


As we close out 2024, the California Retailers Association (CRA) reminds its members of several important upcoming events and deadlines that will shape the coming year.


First, make sure to read more about CRA’s 2025 Advocacy Days and Legislative Reception. This is a crucial opportunity to engage with lawmakers, advocate for key issues and discuss the retail industry’s priorities moving into 2025. Mark your calendars for this critical event and plan to participate in shaping the legislative agenda.


This year is vitally important as we have over 30 new members in the Legislature that we need to educate on our priorities and develop crucial relationships with as we deal with issues that have significant impact such as EPR, Artificial Intelligence, Labor Issues and much more. I hope you will join me and the CRA team, along with other CRA members as we “tell the retail story” and set priorities for the association for the new legislative session.


In addition, SB 54 PEIR (Draft Program Environment Impact Report) feedback is due soon. Those wishing to submit comments should do so by the feedback deadline to ensure their voices are heard in the final review of this critical environmental legislation. I encourage members to engage in the SB 54 regulatory process as this will set the stage for any future EPR programs in California, including the recent Textile EPR program outlined in SB 707. 


As the year winds down, the CRA is conducting an End of Year Member Feedback Survey. This is a chance for members to provide input on key issues for CRA to focus on in 2025. Whether it’s policy priorities, committee initiatives or listserv updates, your feedback guides the association’s direction in the coming year. As you can imagine, CRA can get pulled in several directions and we want to make sure we are responsible to the priorities of our members. Your feedback and input matter!


In the next few weeks, I am excited to share with you CRA’s End of Year Report, summarizing the year's achievements, challenges and plans. This was quite a year, and I am proud of what the CRA team accomplished with the help and support of our members. Stay tuned for this important update and I hope you will join me in congratulating the CRA team on their hard work and commitment to advocating for retail priorities in California.


Finally, if you are in or near Sacramento on December 2, please join me and the CRA team for a reception honoring the new and returning members of the State Legislature as part of “Swearing in Day.” We are joining a few other business trade associations hosting a Swearing-In Reception offering a chance to connect with California’s newest lawmakers and strengthen relationships that will benefit the retail sector in the upcoming legislative session.


As we look forward to Thanksgiving next week, I am truly thankful for the opportunity to work with a great team at CRA, a board of directors that supports the work we do in the state and a wonderful community of members who are part of the association. I am always optimistic that collectively the work we do is making a difference for the business climate in the state and I am hopeful that it will continue in the New Year.


I hope you will stay involved, stay informed and take action on these important dates and opportunities to engage as we look at a transformative year ahead.


Rachel

In This Newsletter Issue:

  • Swearing in Reception - December 2, 2024
  • Advocacy Days and Legislative Reception - February 11 - 12, 2025
  • Election Recap
  • Regulatory & Related Updates
  • CA Community Pharmacy Coalition Updates
  • Other Outreach and Activities
  • EOY Feedback Reminder for Members

Celebrate a New Legislative Session and Welcome New Legislators

Monday, December 2, 2024

Join us at a reception to celebrate the start of a New Legislative Session and Welcome New Legislators!


Monday, December 2 from 5:00PM - 7:00PM PST


Cafe'-A-Cote, 1201 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

RSVP HERE

Attendance by public officials constitutes acceptance of a reportable gift.

2025 Advocacy Days and Legislative Reception

Registration and Sponsorships Now Available

Join the members of the California Retailers Association for our 2025 Legislative Advocacy Days in Sacramento, CA as we meet with policymakers to discuss issues including:


  • Environmental Sustainability/EPR
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Privacy
  • Labor Issues
  • Supply Chain/Goods Movement
  • Workforce Development
  • Regulatory Landscape/Reform


Bring your subject matter experts and join brands from across the country and help CRA tell California's retail story.


Advocacy Days is open to CRA members only.


Advocacy Days Member Ticket: $200 (before Jan. 31, 2025) $250 (after Jan. 31, 2025)


The ticket price for Advocacy days includes CRA's legislative reception.


CRA will also host our annual legislative reception where we will announce our 2025 Legislative Retail Champions of the Year. Mingle with CRA members, state policymakers, representatives of the Governor's Administration and those working in and around the state capitol.


February 11, 2025

SMIC's Sip & Quip Wine Bar in Downtown Sacramento,

1200 K St Suite 8, Sacramento, CA 95814


Open to all (members and non-members)


Cost: $50

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

For questions please email cra@calretailers.com or call (916) 443-1975

BECOME A SPONSOR HERE

California General Election Preliminary Results

The CRA Team continues to closely track key California legislative races, ballot propositions, select local elections and close Congressional races that will impact the retail industry as well as legislative races at the state, local and federal levels. View our election spreadsheet HERE.


Democrats will retain their super majority status in both the State Assembly and State Senate, though the GOP may flip a few seats - one in the Senate (Senator Newman) and two in the Assembly, which would be a first for the Republican Party in a decade.


Fun fact: Pending a couple races, for the first time in California history, the state legislature may have gender parity with 60 male and 60 female legislators.


Proposition 36 (Retail Theft and Drugs) will pass with an overwhelming majority and voters rejected Proposition 32, a statewide proposal to raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour. California is the first state to reject a minimum wage increase at the ballot in almost 30 years.


At the local level, Los Angeles will have a new District Attorney with Nathan Hochman soundly defeating incumbent George Gascon. San Francisco elected Daniel Lurie as Mayor, ousting incumbent London Breed. Voters in Alameda county recalled their District Attorney Pamela Price and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.


As things solidify in California, CRA will provide a more detailed analysis of the 2024 election and how it will affect our advocacy and political strategy as we look forward to the 2025/26 legislative session.


If you have any questions about this document or any California races, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Regulatory & Other Related Updates

CalRecycle Updates


SB 54 Updates

CEQA Scoping Meeting Recap and Request for feedback on SB 54 PEIR

CalRecycle held a CEQA public scoping meeting on its Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) "to establish various elements of CalRecycle's oversight and enforcement responsibilities under SB 54." The CRA team attended the workshop and has provided a recap for our members. Click HERE to access the recap.


CalRecycle's oversight and enforcement requirements under SB 54 include "implementing the statutory requirement for producers of covered materials to source reduce plastic covered materials by 25% by Jan. 1, 2032; to ensure that all plastic covered material offered for sale, distributed in or imported into the state achieves the recycling rate of 65% on and after Jan. 1, 2032; and to ensure that all covered material offered for sale, distributed in or imported into the state on or after Jan. 1, 2032 is recyclable or eligible for being labeled 'compostable."


Comments on the draft PEIR are due to CalRecycle by 5:00PM PST on Dec. 19, 2024. Please send feedback to sarah@calretailers.com or by replying to this email by Monday, December 16. Comments can also be submitted directly to CalRecycle online by clicking HERE or via mail to the contact information listed below. View draft PEIR HERE.


Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

13th Floor - Fidan Aghayarova

P.O. Box 4025

Sacramento, CA 95812-4025


Comments on Second Draft of Regulations Submitted for CalRecycle

The CRA team submitted comments on the second revision of draft SB 54 regulations to CalRecycle ahead of their public comment period deadline. READ CRA'S LETTER HEREOur team also signed on to a large business coalition letter lead by the California Chamber of Commerce. Read that letter HERE.


Thank you to our members for providing valuable feedback during this public comment period. Input from our industry leaders is crucial as the California Retailers Association has strategically positioned ourselves to have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of this state's historic packaging extended producer responsibility program.


As a reminder, CRA's President and CEO Rachel Michelin was appointed to the SB 54 Advisory Board providing a voice for the retail industry during the SB 54 rulemaking process. As such, we are looking to our members and their subject matter experts in taking advantage of every opportunity to weigh in on the regulations including the numerous Advisory Board meetings that have been held by CalRecycle to date.


The CRA team's latest comments submitted are in response to a 15-day comment period (extended three times), which followed an initial 61-day public comment period covering March 8 - May 8, 2024. These comment periods have resulted in two draft versions of SB 54 regulations. A final Statement of Reasons is expected next from CalRecycle, which has a statutory deadline to finalize regulations by January 1, 2025. View the SB 54 regulations ruklemaking and implementation timeline HERE.


For reference, CalRecycle's Notice of Extension of 15-Day Public Comment Period (Notice), the revised regulation text and rulemaking webpage are available below.

  • Read the Notice HERE.
  • Access the Rulemaking Webpage HERE.
  • Download the Regulatory Text HERE.


PRO Updates

Circular Action Alliance (CAA), California's only approved Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for the implementation of SB 54, held the first of two sessions focused on reporting requirements and getting producers ready to report to the PRO. The CRA team attended the reporting session and has provided a recap for our members HERE. View the session slides HERE.


As a reminder, in order to receive a copy of the detailed reporting guidance and access to the producer reporting portal, producers must first sign a Participant Producer Agreement (PPA) with CAA. Companies must complete the updated registration form in order to receive the PPA. Once the form submission has been processed by CAA, the PPA will be sent to the Authorized Representative designated in the registration form for signature. After the PPA has been signed, companies will receive the detailed reporting guidance and will be issued producer reporting portal credentials in Q1 2025.


Upcoming PRO workshops for producers:

  • CAA's reporting Q&A session #2 - December 4. Register HERE.
  • Stakeholder Update - December 11.
  • Producer Working Group Meeting #14 - December 17


Other EPR Related Updates

CRA Response to CARE Request to Increase Carpet Differential Assessments

The CRA team submitted a response letter to CARE's urgent request to CalRecycle to approve an increase in the carpet differential assessment as of February 1, 2025. Read CRA's letter HERE. See the Notice we received on this matter HERE. Cal Recycle has until January 7, 2025 to make a decision on the increase request. We will continue to keep our members updated on the decision. Thank you to our members for the quick turnaround with providing feedback.


Notice of SB 1215 Battery-Embedded Products Emergency Regulations

CalRecycle proposes to adopt emergency regulations to establish a process for Covered Electronic Waste recyclers to submit payment claims for covered battery-embedded products, add application requirements related to covered battery-embedded products, modernize the claim submission process, require manufacturers to send notices, as required, electronically to CalRecycle and make other conforming changes and updates to existing regulations. The comment period is December 3 - 9, 2025. Get more information including the Notice of proposed emergency action, regulation text, rulemaking webpage and how to submit comments HERE.


Los Angeles County Sues Pepsi, Coca-Cola Over Plastic Bottles

In a lawsuit filed last month, Los Angeles County alleged PepsiCo and Coca-Cola companies have misled the public about the recyclability of their plastic bottles and downplayed the negative environmental and health impacts of plastic disposal. The County's lawsuit alleges that both companies promised to create a “circular economy” for its bottles, in which plastic bottles can be recycled and reused an endless number of times, while in reality plastic bottles can only be recycled once, if at all. Read more.


SB 1013 Bottle Bill Updates

Model Dealer Cooperative Stewardship Plan Workshop Recap - Comments Due December 2

CalRecycle held a public workshop to provide an overview of a draft of the model dealer cooperative stewardship plan and receive public comments. The CRA team attended the workshop and provided a recap for our members. Read the recap HERE.


The model dealer cooperative stewardship plan was developed pursuant to the Public Resources Code section 14578.5(a), and outlines requirements pertaining to dealer cooperative stewardship plans from Public Resources Code section 14578.5(c)(1) through (6) and proposed regulations in California Code of Regulations, title 14, chapter 5, subchapter 4.5, article 3. Together, these sections serve as the foundational sources of requirements for dealer cooperative plan submittal procedure and contents. 


Written comments are due December 2, 2024 and can be submitted directly to CalRecycle via email to DealerCoops@calrecycle.ca.govCRA members can also send comments to CRA by November 30 to submit on your company's behalf by replying to this email or sending to sarah@calretailers.com.


Recap of SB 1013 Addition of New Beverage Containers Regulations Workshop

CalRecycle held an informal public workshop to solicit feedback on draft regulatory language to add new beverages and new containers to the California Redemption Value (CRV) program that went into effect on January 1, 2024. The purpose of the draft regulatory language is to implement, make specific and clarify SB 1013, Chapter 610, Statutes of 2022. View a summary of the Workshop HERE. For reference, view the public Notice, which includes a copy of the workshop presentation HERE.


Recap of CalRecycle Program Rates Hearing for 2025

In accordance with California Code of Regulations 2900, CalRecycle announced the changes to recycling program rates, including refund value per segregated pound, refund value per commingled pound and containers per segregated pound for each type of recycling program.


A public hearing was held to discuss the changes and take questions and comments. The CRA team was in attendance and prepared a recap for our members, available HERE. The recap includes detailed questions and comments made during the hearing.


For reference:

  • View the public hearing Notice HERE.
  • View the 2025 Program Rates HERE.
  • View the Individual Commingled Rate Survey HERE.


Grant Programs

Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program (FY 2024-25) - Applications Due Dec. 10, 2024

$4 Million Available for the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program

CalRecycle announced the Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program is now open for applications. Grant applications are due December 10, 2024. Access the Grant Webpage HERE. Get additional information including grant details, funding, eligibility requirements and contact information for the grant HERE.


$23.75 Million Available for the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program (FY 2022-23)

CalRecycle announced that the Reusable Beverage Containers Infrastructure Grant Program (RBI) is open for applications.

Grant applications are due December 19, 2024. Get additional information including grant details, funding, eligibility requirements and contact information for the grant HERE.


Recycled Glass Processing Incentive Grant Program (RGP1 & RGP2) FY 2024-25| FY 2025-26 - Application Open

$4 Million Available for the Recycled Glass Processing Incentive Grant Program

CalRecycle announced the Recycled Glass Processing Incentive Grant Program is open for applications. Grant applications are due December 19, 2024. Get additional information including grant details, funding, eligibility requirements and contact information for the grant HERE.


Other CalRecycle Updates

Notice of Processing Payment Emergency Regulations

CalRecycle proposes to adopt emergency regulations to lay out the reasonable financial return calculation for processing payments paid to recyclers. The proposed emergency regulations will amend the California Code of Regulations (CCR), commencing with Section 2975, Subchapter 12, Chapter 5, Division 2 of Title 14. The public comment period will start on November 27, 2024, when the emergency regulations are posted on Office of Administrative Law’s (OAL) website. The public comment period will close on December 2, 2024Get more information including how to comment HERE.

CalRecycle Updates Continued


Notice of SB 156 Handling Fee Regulations Workshop in Sacramento

CalRecycle will hold an informal public workshop on December 2 starting at 1:30PM PST. The purpose of this workshop is to get feedback on draft regulatory concepts, which update the methodology to be used for calculating the per-container handling fee paid to eligible participants. The purpose of these draft regulatory concepts is to implement, make specific and clarify SB 156, Chapter 72, Statutes of 2024. Get more information including how to attend the workshop and submit comments HERE.


New Appointment to CalRecycle

Allegra Curiel, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at CalRecycle. Curiel has been a Senior Policy Advocate at the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance since 2023. She was a Policy Manager at Newlight Technologies Inc. from 2021 to 2023. Curiel held multiple positions at CalRecycle from 2017 to 2021, including Legislative Analyst from 2018 to 2021, Disaster Recovery Operations Analyst in 2018 and Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows Program from 2017 to 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political, Legal, and Economic Analysis from Mills College at Northeastern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation.


Privacy Updates


CRA Comments on CA Civil Rights Council ADMT Regulations

Recently, the California Civil Rights Council held a hearing that included a discussion of the proposed modifications to their draft regulations on automated decision systems (access the DRAFT Regulations HERE). CRA attended the meeting and submitted a comment letter to the Council. View the letter HERE. Thank you to our members for providing feedback.


CPPA Advances New Privacy Rules for Businesses

CRA testified before the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) at their Nov. 8 meeting on behalf of our members in relation to the Agency's proposed regulations on artificial intelligence. As a reminder in 2023, CRA provided written feedback to the CCPA during the informal review process. View the letter HERE. As expected, the California Privacy Protection Agency voted to advance the proposed cyber audit, risk assessment and ADMT regulations to formal rulemaking on a vote of 4-1 (Mr. Mactaggart voted against). Read CRA's recaqp of the meeting prepared exclusively for our members HERE.


California Agency Announces Sweep on Data Broker Compliance

On October 30, the CPPA announced an investigative sweep to ensure data brokers comply with the Delete Act. Effective January 1, the Delete Act requires parties to register by January 31 of the year after they satisfy the definition of a “data broker,” with non-compliance penalties to include, among other amounts, a $200 per day administrative fine. The CPPA’s Enforcement Division will take action against those data brokers that have failed to comply.


In addition to the registration requirement, the Delete Act requires data brokers to disclose the number of consumer deletion requests, response times to those requests and whether they collect the personal data of minors, reproductive healthcare data or precise geolocation data. Data brokers also must provide a link on their websites informing consumers of their rights under the CPPA. The Delete Act charges data brokers an annual fee to fund the registry and to develop the data broker requests and opt-out platform, known as DROP, which will launch in 2026. The CPPA aims to ensure continuous deletion of personal information by data brokers every 45 days.


California’s Top Privacy Enforcer Leaving

California’s first data privacy cop is stepping down after three years on the job. Ashkan Soltani recently announced he is leaving the CPPA, which he helped create. He built the CPPA’s enforcement division and made rulemaking recommendations, which faced legal challenges over their timing. He was a major proponent of the DELETE Act and also proposed rules for privacy enforcement and automated decision-making, such as allowing people to request information about algorithms that make such choices or to opt out of automated decision-making altogether.


FCC Announces Partnership with CPPA

The Federal Communication Commission’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force announced a new Memorandum of Understanding with the CPPA, which is tasked with enforcing the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act. The FCC said the partnership "ensures both agencies can align their efforts to best protect consumer privacy, ensure businesses and consumers are well‐informed about their rights and obligations, and enforce privacy laws." Read more.

CARB Updates


ACF Enforcement Notice Updated

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has updated the enforcement notice dated December 28, 2023 to reflect updates regarding enforcement of CARB’s ACF Regulation’s requirements applicable to controlling parties. The updated enforcement notice is available HERE. Additional information may be found on the ACF Regulation and Advisories page.


Second Public Availability of Modified Text and Availability of Additional Documents for the Proposed Amendments to the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation and the Zero-Emission Powertrain Certification Test Procedure

CARB has posted a Second Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text (Second 15-Day Notice) for the for the Proposed Amendments to the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation and the Zero-Emission Powertrain Certification Test Procedure. Get more information including background, the second 15-day Notice, written comment period and comment submittal instructions HERE.


Research Webinar: Increasing Access to Zero-emission Vehicles in Priority Populations - December 3, 2024

On December 3, 2024 from 11:00AM - 12:00PM PST join researchers from the University of California, Davis, for an insightful webinar on the transportation needs and barriers to zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) access faced by California's priority populations. Learn more and register HERE.


TRIG Outreach Workgroup Meeting Postponed to January 2025

CARB has postponed the next Outreach Truck Regulation Implementation Group (TRIG) Workgroup Meeting to January 2025. Updates about outreach and communication are list below.

 

Media Campaign:

  • Media campaign deliverables went live in October

Interactive Tools Update:


Advanced Clean Fleets Flash:

CARB has developed an email blast like the “Spring into Action” campaign, that will be sent out monthly to help fleets stay up to date with different resources and upcoming events for ACF. Read the latest "ACF Flash" HERE.

Prop. 65 Webinar Recording


Cal Retailers partnered with the law firm of Norton Rose Fulbright to host a webinar exclusively for CRA members regarding Proposition 65 and recent additions to the list and enforcement. Below are links to the brief CLE survey, recording of the program and presentation materials. Completion of the survey is required to obtain CLE credit.


CA Workplace Violence Regulation Comments Posted


The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA) updated the Workplace Violence Advisory Committee webpage to include all written comments regarding the first draft of the proposed regulation on workplace violence in general industry. View the comments HERE or visit the Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry webpage and click on the "Comments" section under the July 15, 2024 draft.


As a reminder, following California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan regulation becoming effective, Cal/OSHA published its draft Workplace Violence Prevention regulation. The CRA team submitted comments; read our letter HERE.


Read more from CRA's Cal/OSHA update to members HERE.

US Supreme Court Denies Uber, Lyft Bid to Avoid California Driver Suits


The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge by Uber (UBER.N) and Lyft (LYFT.O) to lawsuits by the state of California on behalf of drivers who signed agreements to keep legal disputes with the ride-hailing companies out of court in a legal fight over their status as contractors.


The justices turned away appeals by the two companies of a California state appeals court's ruling that let the Democratic-led state's attorney general and labor commissioner pursue claims that Uber and Lyft owe money to drivers who were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees. Read more.

Flavored Cigarettes, Tobacco Products and Tobacco Product Flavor Enhancers Are Subject to Seizure


The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) put out a special notice that beginning January 1, 2025, the Department may seize flavored cigarettes, tobacco products and flavor enhancers from retailers and wholesalers. Read the Special Notice HERE.

California Climate Reporting Rules Update


California continues to be at the forefront of climate-related disclosure regulations. On September 27, 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 219, Greenhouse Gases: Climate Corporate Accountability: Climate-Related Financial Risk (SB 219). SB 219 amends certain climate disclosure requirements under Senate Bill 253, Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and Senate Bill 261, Greenhouse Gases: Climate-Related Financial Risk (SB 261). The bills require companies with significant revenues in California that are “doing business in California” to publicly disclose greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and climate-related financial risk reports. Read the full update prepared by the CRA team HERE.

California Community Pharmacy Coalition Updates

Quality Assurance Programs Modified Text - Feedback Needed

The Board of Pharmacy has proposed additional modifications to Title 16 CCR § 1711, related to the Quality Assurance Programs with another 15-day comment period. Click HERE to view the proposed text and additional information related to this regulatory action. Comments are due December 2, 2024. Please send your feedback to sarah@calretailers.com or by replying to this email by Wednesday, November 27, so the CRA team can finalize and submit to the BoP.


Additional Updates for CCPC

BoP Modifications Related to Discontinuance of Business

The Board of Pharmacy has proposed modifications to Title 16 CCR § 1708.2, related to the Discontinuance of Business. Click HERE to view all documents related to this regulatory action. Comments are due December 30, 2024.


Notification of Proposed Changes to MED-Project’s Stewardship Plan for Covered Drugs

MED-Project notified CalRecycle of proposed changes to its stewardship plan for covered drugs related to reasonable geographic spread of authorized collection sites. CalRecycle is reviewing the proposal as a significant change, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 42032(e) and Title 14 of the

California Code of Regulations section 18973.1(i). The proposed changes are now posted to the Pharmaceutical Waste Stewardship Plans webpage and linked in the public notice HERE.


CalRecycle is holding a public comment period and the deadline to comment is November 27, 2024. Comments can be submitted to pharmasharps@calrecycle.ca.gov, by emailing to sarah@calretailers.com or replying to this email. CRA can submit comments on behalf of our members under the Cal Retailers banner. Visit CalRecycle’s pharmaceutical waste stewardship plans webpage for the status of documents submitted to CalRecycle. Contact CalRecycle's Pharmaceutical & Sharps Team at pharmasharps@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Other Outreach and Activities

CRA Supports Fight Retail Theft Day

CRA's Government Affairs Director Ryan Allain attended a local store tour of a Dollar Tree in Folsom with Congress member Kevin Kiley and the Sacramento County Sheriff's office as part of Fight Retail Theft Day, a day organized to advocate for the federal Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. The tour included information on how the retailer is working to prevent theft in their store.

CRA President Speaks at AAMA's Organized Retail Crime Roundtable and Luncheon

CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin spoke at the African American Mayors Association's Organized Retail Crime Roundtable and Luncheon in Long Beach. The forum was organized for local mayors to discuss the urgent need to address pressing public safety issues and drive long term policy solutions for retail, law enforcement and communities.

CRA Attends Equality California's 25th Anniversary

CRA's Ryan Allain attended Equality California's 25 year anniversary celebration. CRA was a sponsor of the event. Pictured: CRA's Ryan Allain, Assemblymembers Tina Mckinnor and Rick Zbur and CRA member companies including Lowes, Gap,Inc. Diageo and The Home Depot.

EOY Reminder for CRA Members:

Committees, Working Groups, List Serves and 2025 Issues Review

We are updating CRA’s committees, working groups and listservs and collecting feedback on issues our members are concerned about and want our team to focus on in 2025. Participating in CRA's committees, working groups and listservs gives members the benefit of staying connected to the CRA team's advocacy efforts by receiving updates on key legislation, regulations and other actions important to the retail industry in California. We encourage your subject matter experts and others to join committees, listservs or work groups in line with their expertise. Please do not hesitate to share the email below with other members within your organization. 


Please respond by Monday, December 2 by clicking HERE


The following are CRA’s committees, working groups and listservs for 2025. Highlighted in RED are those options that we will have a new or renewed emphasis on in 2025 with anticipated legislation and/or regulation, meaning we are in specific need for subject matter experts' active participation next year.

  • Alcoholic Beverage
  • Beauty/Cosmetics
  • Cal/OSHA
  • Cannabis
  • Environmental Responsibility (including EPR; SB 54/Packaging)
  • Energy & Transportation (includes warehouse/distribution center related issues)
  • Food & Grocery
  • Healthcare
  • Homelessness
  • Labor/Wage Issues
  • Legislative Committee (*one representative per member)
  • Local Government Affairs (focus San Francisco/Los Angeles)
  • Online Marketplace
  • Pharmacy
  • Privacy/Artificial Intelligence
  • Prop. 65/Green Chemistry
  • Retail Theft/ORC
  • Supply Chain/Goods Movement
  • Tax Issues
  • Workforce Development


If you have any questions or need additional information please reach out to Ryan at ryan@calretailers.com or Sarah at sarah@calretailers.com.

California Retailers Association https://calretailers.com/
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