KEEPING MEMBERS AT THE FOREFRONT | | |
Our members gathered for a lively happy hour at Media Studios in Burbank, enjoying connection and key policy updates. Vilia Zemaitaitis from the City of Glendale’s Community Development Department shared insights on the city’s Draft Land Use and Environmental Justice Elements, which could shape future zoning and infrastructure.
From Burbank’s Economic Development Department, Mary Hamzoian provided updates on major projects, including the new Hollywood Burbank Airport terminal, mixed-use developments, and the Warner Bros. expansion. Members left with valuable takeaways on regional growth and plenty of new connections.
| | LEGISLATION TO KEEP AN EYE ON | | |
Legislative Victory
✊ Governor Newsom's budget doubles funding for California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program to $750 million annually—supporting local jobs, boosting economic activity, and driving demand for studio, office, and industrial space.
✊Defeating SB 789 — Through strong coalition advocacy, we successfully stopped this harmful vacancy reporting bill, which would have imposed new reporting mandates on property owners and paved the way for costly vacancy taxes.
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Our Government Affairs Committee also has their sights on:
AB 380 — Thanks to strong advocacy, AB 380 has been narrowed to protect property managers from costly new rules. The bill has been narrowed so it should only apply to short-term, month-to-month leases during declared emergencies. It will no longer require property managers to use a costly and unrealistic third-party database to set rents, and it makes sure that tenant improvement costs are not counted as part of base rent.
| This outcome helps ensure property managers can maintain flexibility in leasing and avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens. | Status: It has passed the Assembly and moves over to the Senate’s Committee on Rules. | AB 698 — Would require cities to release a public economic analysis before approving new real estate transfer taxes, such as Measure ULA. This added transparency gives commercial real estate professionals a clearer picture of how future taxes could impact property sales and asset values. | Status: It has passed the Assembly and moves over to the Senate’s Committee on Rules. | | Our six active Regional Councils continue to drive grassroots advocacy, facilitate peer collaboration, and serve as platforms for members to raise local issues. | | |
Northeast Happy Hour
🍹🏙️ Over 25 members from 15 leading CRE companies joined our Northeast Regional Happy Hour at Media Studios in Burbank for an evening focused on networking and policy updates. Speakers shared key insights on land use changes, major development projects, and community initiatives impacting the Northeast region. Members left with actionable takeaways on how these developments could influence their properties, investments, and strategic planning.
| | Our Sustainability Committee heard from Gridium, who showed how their platform helps building owners and operators cut energy costs by 5–7% by tracking usage, spotting issues, and finding savings opportunities. | The next Codes and Regulations Committee will be on September 4th and our next Property Technology Committee will be September 16th. Register on our website here. | Our Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee will be hosting Active Shooter Awareness Training on September 24th. Learn key emergency response skills, including the “Run-Hide-Fight” framework for fleeing, sheltering, or defending yourself, and hands-on “Stop the Bleed” techniques to control severe injuries. You’ll also practice quick door barricading and making rapid decisions under pressure using improvised tools. Register here! | | GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE | | The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is actively tracking legislation and mobilizing member engagement around key policy areas impacting CRE: |
- Local commercial rent control proposals and their economic impacts
- Ongoing debates on property transfer taxes in Southern California
- Efforts to advance business-friendly permitting reforms
- Proposals to revive vacancy tax initiatives at both city and county levels
| BOMA/GLA advocacy staff also met with the key LA offices. Including Councilmembers Padilla, Park, and Jurado’s offices. Our Board of Directors were happy to have Councilmember Yaroslavsky at their recent board meeting, where Yaroslavsky shared their goals of public safety and homelessness outreach investments. These discussions are particularly important to our members, as public safety and homelessness outreach initiatives directly affect their properties and operations. |
| POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE | | Experience an unforgettable summer night with BOMA/GLA at the Hollywood Bowl. Enjoy dinner, networking, a live performance by legendary band Chicago, and a fireworks finale - all while supporting our advocacy efforts through this vital PAC fundraiser! |
| BOMA/GLA is advancing policies that strengthen the industry and support our members. Here's how we’re translating our advocacy priorities into meaningful action: | | |
Advocating for the expansion of California’s film and television tax credit to $750 million annually keeps production in-state, preserving thousands of jobs while boosting demand for sound stages, office space, and related facilities. This combination strengthens both our workforce and commercial real estate market, driving sustained economic growth across California.
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California Redistricting: What It Could Mean for CRE
Our members came together for a lively happy hour at Media Studios in Burbank.
They were able to enjoy drinks, laughs, and valuable updates from the Economic Development Department of Burbank and the Community Development Department of Glendale.
| | | | | How LA’s Civilian Responders Could Affect Commercial Properties | Los Angeles is testing a new safety program that sends unarmed civilian teams instead of LAPD officers to some non-violent calls. | | | | |
