November 11, 2025 | CRA Member Newsletter Updates:

California Retail Law Summit Recap, New CRA Coalitions, Legislative and Regulatory Updates (includes local and federal) and other Association Outreach and Activities

The California Retailers Association and National Retail Federation hosted our third annual California Retail Law Summit on October 26-28 at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa Valley. Aptly named the 2025 Retail Law & Policy Uncorked: The California Summit, Where California Sets the Standard—Navigating Retail’s Legal, Regulatory and Policy Frontiers Nationwide, this event was our first Summit that intersected legal, regulatory and legislative issues and priorities for the retail industry.

The premier three-day event set in the scenic Napa Valley, brought together national retailers, policy makers, regulators and legal experts in addressing the most pressing legislative, legal and regulatory issues impacting the retail industry in California and beyond.

Featured speakers included:

• The Honorable Rob Bonta, California Attorney General (video message)
• Director Zoe Heller, CalRecycle 
• Executive Director Tom Kemp, California Consumer Privacy Protection Agency 
• Assistant Majority Leader Diane Papan, Member of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials and Judiciary Committees 
• Vice-Chair Roger Niello, Senate Judiciary Committee 
• Assemblymember Chris Ward, Member of the Assembly Privacy Committee and Author of AB 446 Pricing Surveillance; Two-Year Bill
• Chairman José Luis Solache, Jr., Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Housing Impact
• Assemblymember Rick Zbur, Assembly Caucas Chair; Member of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee 
• Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Member, Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials 
• Assemblymember Josh Hoover, Member of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee 
• Assemblywoman Ali Macedo, Member of the Assembly Judiciary Committee 
• Assemblymember David Tangipa, Member of the Assembly Higher Education Commitee 
• Doug Kobold, Executive Director, California Product Stewardship Council (SB 707 sponsor) 
• And Legal Professionals from throughout the country

The event included a memorable welcome dinner with California's policymakers in the resort’s wine cave and engaging panels on environmental compliance, consumer protection, privacy, and AI. Attendees gained valuable insights into California’s evolving legal landscape. The summit fostered open dialogue and provided practical guidance for navigating complex regulations and legal challenges.

This was a uniquely intimate setting where attendees had rare, direct access to California's decision-makers. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us. To explore more highlights and resources from the summit, click on the link below.

What People Are Saying About the Summit

"The California Retailers Association Legal and Legislative Summit exceeded expectations! Thanks to the entire team at California Retailers Association and National Retail Federation for hosting a lively and exciting policy forum. We look forward to continuing our partnership in 2026 and beyond."

"Kudos to Rachel Michelin and her team at CRA for putting together an incredible line-up of expert speakers, legislators and policymakers."

"Thank you to the California Retailers Association and the National Retail Federation for having me on their California's Workforce Mandates panel. It was a pleasure speaking with Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Jr., Assemblywoman Ali Macedo, and Assemblymember David Tangipa."

California Retailers for Environmental Innovation Coalition

We are excited to have officially launched our California Retailers for Environmental Innovation coalition. The coalition was launched during the California Retail Law Summit and is a transformative coalition dedicated to advancing sustainability and environmental leadership within the state's retail sector.

The coalition brings together retailers, service providers, local governments and industry partners to shape California’s complex environmental policy landscape through collaborative and practical solutions. This strategic coalition leverages collective expertise and advocacy to address issues ranging from sustainable packaging and textile recovery to e-waste management and extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, always with consumer affordability at the forefront.

All current CRA members can participate in the coalition but need to register their interest. Learn more HERE and click HERE to be added to our coalition activities.

California Retail Grocery Coalition

CRA also launched our California Retail Grocery Coalition formed to assist members on regulatory and legislative advocacy issues such as SNAP and WIC funding (keep scrolling for more information on those programs). The Coalition represents a transformative opportunity for grocery retailers across the state to unite in addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges while maximizing their influence on policy and regulatory outcomes. To learn more about the coalition and join, click HERE.

PRIVACY AND AI



Artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems are rapidly becoming part of how businesses operate in California. Throughout this year’s legislative efforts, AI was a focal point of discussion. At the same time, many key bills were made into two-year measures including AB 446, AB 1331, SB 295, SB 384, SB 420 and others. These bills, along with new ones that may emerge, will shape how the retail industry adapts in the coming years, making it essential that CRA members stay engaged (especially with labor's likely outsized influence in 2026 as mentioned above in our CEO's message).

CPPA Legislative Priorities

Additionally, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) held a public meeting on November 7, 2025, to discuss their legislative priorities for 2026. The board approved a motion for staff to pursue three potential bill ideas for the agency to sponsor or support in 2026:

1.) Establish Comprehensive Whistleblower Protections in the CCPA

This bill would include:

• Award program to incentivize whistleblowers 
• Special designation program that enables the CPPA Enforcement Division to collaborate with whistleblower attorneys on certain cases & allows whistleblower to share a portion of an administrative award 
• Anti-retaliation provisions to protect whistleblowers 

Staff noted that they are looking at the provisions of the recently passed SB 53. They noted that SB 53 focuses on anti-retaliation and internal reporting, while this proposal would go further by providing incentives for whistleblowers to come forward by sharing in proceeds of administrative awards.

2.) Extend the Right to Delete to All Personal Information Collected About a Consumer 

Staff noted "that currently, the CCPA only requires a business to delete personal information that's collected from the consumer, which means that it does not have to delete personal information collected from a third party...Most other states with comprehensive privacy laws apply the right to deletion to all information collected from a consumer."

3.) Require Alternative Methods for Submitting Consumer Privacy Requests

Staff noted that "currently, online-only businesses that have a direct relationship with a consumer are only required to provide an email address for collecting access, deletion, and correction requests. So, we think just this email only creates a barrier because it gives consumers little support or guidance. We think that alternatives like web forms would be more consumer friendly, would take less time for consumers, because they would have more information about what to input, and there would be less chance that [consumers] would have to follow up."

During public comment Consumer Reports and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) said they supported the bill concepts. TechNet urged caution on moving forward with additional regulations and burdens on business, asking that implementation of SB 53 and other laws play out first.

CRA AI Working Group

To ensure we are prepared for 2026, CRA has formed a dedicated workgroup focused on AI and automated decision-making systems. This group will strengthen our advocacy and policy efforts in the 2026 legislative session.

To help shape this workgroup to best meet your needs, we invite you to complete a brief survey. Your input will guide the structure, focus areas, and priorities of this important initiative. Click HERE to participate.

AG Bonta to Hire AI "Expert"

In an interview with Politico, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he is working to hire “someone with very high levels of training and understanding,” who will “really help us understand the nuances of AI in ways beyond what we already know.” The CA Department of Justice confirmed they are in the process of hiring "investigative technologists" generally.

TechEquity restructures to advance people-first AI in California

Nonprofit TechEquity has announced a restructuring of their leadership. The group has been the sponsor of many of the high-profile bills seeking to regulate AI in recent years and we expect them to continue that position. Samantha Gordon, previously TechEquity’s Chief Program Officer, will now serve as the organization’s Chief Advocacy Officer.  

Jonathan Mehta Stein is joining TechEquity as Chief Program Officer. He will oversee the organization’s Labor, AI, and Data & Tech Programs, shaping strategy across TechEquity’s programmatic work. Stein previously founded the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy (CITED), which advocates for solutions to the threats AI and social media pose to elections and democratic institutions.

LABOR

SB 399 (Wahab)- Preliminary Injunction Granted

We are happy to report that a federal district court granted a preliminary injunction against SB 399 (Wahab). There are several pending lawsuits in other states on similar legislation and California's is the first where there has been a decision on the merits. The court ruled that the law is both preempted under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and is in violation of the First Amendment. View the decision HERE. The state may appeal, so we will keep you posted.

DTSC Updates

Microplastics

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is holding a Microplastics workshop on November 25 regarding five research projects they've funded related to Microplastics. 

Three of the projects focus on understanding the sources of aquatic Microplastic contamination, while two focus on an approach to stormwater treatment known as “low-impact development best management practices” (LID BMPs) — infrastructures like rain gardens and permeable pavements that can be built throughout an urban area to absorb and filter stormwater runoff. Information on speakers and how to register can be found HERE.

Additionally, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) held a Green Ribbon Science Panel meeting specifically on Microplastics and highlighted their work on screening consumer products that may contain or generate microplastics, indicating they plan to release their background document soon, and will hold a public workshop in December with a public comment period expected to close in early 2026. 

Changing Toxic Waste Rules

DTSC is proposing to lift reporting requirements for tracking toxic waste. To track hazardous waste in California, businesses must make detailed reports that include what toxic materials are in what containers, where the waste is coming from and where it’s heading. These reports both help generators of waste prove they’re following regulations and aid emergency responders in case there’s an accident during transport.

DTSC is considering relaxing some of these tracking rules when companies are transporting waste within their own properties and along some public roads. Read more.

CERS NextGen Hazardous Waste Reporting System

The company DTSC hired to build out and host the CERS NextGen system held a townhall and answered questions from the regulated community. Cal/EPA and DTSC also had representatives on to help answer questions. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation from the townhall is available HERE.

CRA gave public comment during the townhall:

"The California Retailers Association is concerned that there is not a focus on broader implications this new system will have on many companies. Re-entering all of this data, which is a requirement, between Jan and March of 2027 is a really small window for companies that have many stores throughout CA. A large warehouse, for example, that has only one location in CA will have a far easier time meeting this requirement with the new system in the short time frame, but we suspect many companies will not."

DTSC responded to our public comment during the Townhall: 

"DTSC is hoping to have more information on this issue by end of the year. Training will be facilitated and the CERS NextGen Team and DTSC plans to do outreach around this issue and be mindful of this issue.

Federal Updates

SNAP and WIC Funding

As the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) continues implementing the distribution of SNAP benefits, some recipients have begun receiving funds in their accounts. While CDSS has not yet released an official schedule for full benefit distribution, it is encouraging to see that payments are already reaching eligible households. As a reminder, California issues SNAP benefits between the 1st and 10th of each month.

In addition, the WIC program has released a vendor alert to all authorized retailers. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has formally requested a state loan to ensure continued WIC funding in the event that the federal shutdown persists. This loan would secure program funding through the end of the year. Access the official vendor alert HERE.

CRA, alongside more than 50 organizations, signed a letter urging Governor Newsom to fully or partially fund CalFresh. This unified advocacy led to direct engagement with the Governor’s staff to clarify the state’s efforts to protect millions of Californians from food insecurity. You can access the letter HERE.

Read our previous updates on SNAP and WIC funding below.

SNAP Update: WIC Vendor Alert

SNAP Update: Benefits Reduction and Guidance

Urgent Update: Court Rulings SNAP Funding Developments

USTR Suspension of Action in Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) officially suspending the actions in the China shipbuilding Section 301 investigation for a year. The suspension includes the vessel fee as well as the tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment. Thank you to everyone who filed comments in support of the suspension. Read the formal Notice HERE.

Fernandez v. Walmart

CRA joined an amicus brief urging California Court of Appeal to hold that businesses have no tort duty to prevent unforeseeable random criminal behavior misusing business property. Read the brief HERE.

Local Updates

Draft Cooperative Agreement Between South Coast AQMD and Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles

CRA joined with a large coalition of business, labor and community organizations to urge the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to approve the Cooperative Agreement between the SCAQMD and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to establish a collaborative, flexible, and enforceable framework that supports the region’s clean-air goals without harming the economic vitality of the ports or threatening the livelihoods of nearly one million Southern Californians who rely on trade and logistics. Due to our advocacy efforts including letters and public testimony, the SCAQMD Governing Board voted nine to one to approve the Cooperative Agreement. Read our latest coalition letter HERE.

Los Angeles Draft CII Permit

CRA joined a coalition in submitting a letter to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board urging the Board to reject the adoption of the draft proposed Commercial, Industrial & Institutional Permit (CII Permit) and instead direct staff to work directly with stakeholders to resolve outstanding concerns and lack of clarity with the CII Permit provisions and compliance options. Despite submission of robust written comments over the past few years and efforts to work with the Board, significant concerns remain with the CII Permit including overly burdensome, duplicative, costly and unclear requirements and compliance details. Read the letter HERE.

Read a previous coalition letter submitted to the Los Angeles Regional Board HERE.

Costa Mesa Looking at Similar Self-Checkout Ordinance Following Long Beach

Costa Mesa city officials were given a staff report last week that supports the idea of regulating the use and operation of automated kiosks citywide. The issue was originally brought before the City Council during a meeting in March, during which store employees and residents raised concerns about inadequate staffing levels and an uptick in retail thefts associated with unmanned check stands.

Councilmembers expressed an interest in exploring the matter more and, in researching the topic, looked to an ordinance adopted in September by the city of Long Beach, the first of its kind in the nation. The proposal right now remains a staff report that city councilmembers are reviewing and is not an official introduction of a local ordinance, however, CRA is tracking the issue closely as our team did with the City of Long Beach ordinance. Read more.

CRA President and CEO Rachel Michelin was interviewed for a segment focused on self-checkout with the nationally acclaimed Today Show. View the segment HERE.

Culver City Potential Ban on All Beverages in Plastic Bottles

Culver City is considering a potential ban on all single-use plastic beverage bottles, which would expand on the city's existing regulations. While a ban on single-use plastic water bottles for city facilities and events is already in place, the new proposal would likely extend this to commercial vendors and could potentially include all single-use plastic beverage bottles sold or used in the city. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce plastic pollution in local waterways like Ballona Creek.

City of Los Angeles Considering Raising Minimum Wage for Another Industry Sector to Potentially $32.35 an Hour

In late September, Los Angeles city council members put forward a motion outlining a potential new minimum wage that would apply to construction workers on any housing project with 10 or more units and a height of up to 85 feet. They proposed a $32.35 per hour wage that would also come with an additional $7.65 per hour in healthcare credits. Any project already covered by labor agreements providing higher wages or union staffing would be exempt, according to the motion.

If passed, the motion would instruct the city’s chief legislative analyst to carry out a study on setting a new residential construction minimum wage and its potential impacts. The study would not be required to use $32.35 per hour among its final recommendations.

The study would need to include information on the wages workers currently need to afford housing and healthcare in L.A., as well as strategies the city could use to minimize any potential negative outcomes from establishing a new minimum wage for mid-sized apartment building construction.

This wouldn’t be the first time the L.A. City Council set a higher minimum wage for workers in one specific sector. Hotel and airport workers recently secured a higher minimum wage and their pay is set to rise to $30 per hour by 2028, when the Olympics are scheduled to be held in L.A. Read more.

CRA Attends Cotton Tour

CRA Team's Leticia Garcia attended an exclusive cotton tour in Los Banos, CA hosted by Fibershed. The tour was designed for a select group of apparel and textile brands, designers and mills seeking traceable U.S. grown cotton that benefits soil health, carbon capture, water security, biodiversity, and producer livelihoods and CRA's participation was part of our outreach efforts for our application to serve as the PRO for the implementation of California's Textiles EPR.

The Climate Beneficial™ tour was not a typical walking farm tour! At Bowles’ farm, we got hands in the soil, dialogue with the farmers about what’s required to transition to practices that restore soil health and function, networked with other industry-leading brands, and heard from Climate Beneficial™ Verified team members and technical service providers about the value of farm-forward sourcing.

As a sixth-generation family farm, Bowles Farming Company is a pioneer in integrating regenerative practices while reducing synthetic chemistry use. The tour was an incredible opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the steps being taken to regenerate the soils that produce our food and fiber.

California Retailers Association https://calretailers.com/

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