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Serving the San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Santa Clarita
Valley Industry & Commerce Association || vica.com
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- VICA Advocates Against Fast Food Mandates at LA City Hall
- VICA Board Takes Position on New State Legislation
- VICA Vacancy
- Internship Opportunities at VICA
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"This is a program that we have to fight to expand. The reality is that [workers] have been pleading for help for so long. ... So for all of those who have called my office, my message to you is simple: We hear you, we value your work, and we are going to keep entertainment production right here in California where it is home and where it belongs."
Asemblymember Nick Schultz
Statement on California Film Tax Credit
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VICA Advocates Against Fast Food Mandates At City Council | |
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On Tuesday, VICA attended the LA City Council Economic Development and Jobs Committee, where we presented our opposition to the proposed expansion of the Fair Work Week requirements to fast food restaurants in the city.
Los Angeles has already imposed significant financial burdens on various business sectors through increased labor costs and compliance regulations. This proposal further exacerbates these challenges. Fast food operators are still adapting to the recent minimum wage increase to $20 per hour. Now, they face additional burdens such as rigid scheduling mandates, increased payroll expenses, and new compliance requirements.
Many franchise owners operate on narrow profit margins and will likely be forced to consider raising prices, reducing operating hours, or closing locations altogether. Instead of fostering business growth, this ordinance threatens to escalate costs, reduce operational flexibility, and discourage investment in our city.
The committee passed the motion with plans for subsequent reports on ordinance implementation, an economic impact analysis, industry trends, and recommendations for staff training. Additionally, the Chief Legislative Analyst will gather input from small businesses and industry workers to assess economic impacts on the Los Angeles business community.
VICA remains committed to closely monitoring developments and will keep our members informed of updates.
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VICA Board of Directors Approve New Positions on State Legislation | |
The VICA Board of Directors has evaluated several legislative proposals to protect and advance the interests of our members and the broader San Fernando Valley business community. Below is a detailed overview of our positions, including descriptions of key bills, our stances, and any recommended amendments: | |
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Support:
AB 239 (Harabedian-Irwin): State-Led Disaster Housing Task Force: AB 239 seeks to expedite housing recovery efforts in communities affected by the wildfires that began on January 7, 2025, in Los Angeles County. The bill proposes the establishment of a state-led disaster housing task force jointly convened by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Office of Emergency Services (OES). This task force would coordinate efforts among HCD, OES, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local governments to streamline housing rebuilding in the impacted areas.
A state disaster housing coordinator would be appointed to accelerate the delivery of resources to the affected communities, including funding and technical assistance. The task force is mandated to report quarterly to the Legislature on the status of rebuilding efforts, with the first report due on April 1, 2026. The bill is designated as an urgency statute, meaning it would take effect immediately upon passage to address the critical need for coordinated housing recovery.
Establishing a centralized task force, as proposed in AB 239, could lead to more efficient permitting processes and resource allocation, accelerating reconstruction projects and creating opportunities for businesses involved in housing development. Rapid housing recovery can facilitate the return of displaced residents, thereby restoring the customer base for local businesses and stabilizing the local economy. VICA supports AB 239, recognizing that a coordinated and efficient approach to housing recovery is essential for the swift restoration of communities and the local economy. By streamlining efforts among federal, state, and local agencies, the bill aims to mitigate bureaucratic delays and promote effective resource utilization, benefiting residents and businesses in the affected areas.
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Support:
AB 306 (Schultz-Rivas): Building Regulations: State Building Standards: Assembly Bill 306 (AB 306) proposes significant amendments to California's building standards framework, particularly concerning residential units. The bill seeks to temporarily restrict local governments from modifying state building standards applicable to residential units from June 1, 2025, to June 1, 2031, unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include modifications that are substantially equivalent to those in effect as of January 1, 2025, changes deemed necessary by the California Building Standards Commission to protect health and safety, or alterations related to home hardening measures.
The bill also restricts the Commission from considering, approving, or adopting new building standards affecting residential units during this period, except under specified circumstances. Designated as an urgency statute, AB 306 is intended to take immediate effect upon passage to promptly address the state's housing challenges. legiscan.com
VICA supports AB 306, recognizing that uniform building standards can streamline construction processes, reduce costs, and expedite housing development—critical factors in addressing California's housing shortage. By limiting the ability of local governments to implement disparate building standards, the bill aims to eliminate regulatory inconsistencies that often hinder efficient housing production. VICA acknowledges the importance of local considerations but believes that a standardized approach will create a more predictable and efficient regulatory environment, ultimately benefiting both the construction industry and communities across the state.
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Oppose:
AB 246 (Bryan): State of Emergency: Residential Rent Increases in Los Angeles County: AB 246 seeks to implement a rent freeze in Los Angeles County following the state of emergency declared due to the wildfires that began on January 7, 2025. The bill proposes to lock rents at levels charged as of January 7, 2025, and prohibit rent increases for 12 months after the governor lifts the emergency declaration. Additionally, it authorizes district and city attorneys to enforce these provisions, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 per instance. This measure is intended to prevent price gouging and protect tenants from sudden rent hikes after the disaster.
The proposed rent freeze could limit landlords' revenue, particularly those relying on rental income to cover maintenance costs, property taxes, and other expenses. This may discourage investment in rental properties and exacerbate the existing housing shortage. By imposing rent controls, the bill could lead to reduced availability of rental housing, as property owners may be less inclined to offer units under restrictive conditions, further straining the housing market in Los Angeles County.
VICA opposes AB 246, arguing that it exceeds existing anti-price-gouging laws, which already cap rent increases at 10% during declared emergencies. The association contends that a complete rent freeze unfairly penalizes all rental housing providers for the actions of a few bad actors and could discourage property owners from offering rental housing, thereby reducing availability. VICA advocates for a balanced approach that protects tenants without imposing undue burdens on housing providers.
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VICA Internship Opportunities
Apply Now!
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VICA is looking for motivated interns to join our team! Gain valuable hands-on experience in legislative affairs, administrative support, and membership development while working alongside business and policy leaders in the San Fernando Valley.
📌 Legislative Affairs Internship – Contact Victor@vica.com; Mikayla@vica.com
📌 Administrative Internship – Contact Cathy@vica.com
📌 Membership & Development Internship – Contact Yoko@vica.com
Don't miss this opportunity to build your skills and grow your professional network. Apply today!
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VICA Thanks Our Renewing and New Members | | |
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Platinum Members:
Bronze Members:
Renewing Members:
New Member:
- CA Rehabilitation Institute
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Save the Dates: Committees | |
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Transportation Committee
March 11
At The Garland at 8:30 AM
RSVP
Joint Meeting: International Trade + Government Affairs Committee
March 19
At the VICA Office at Noon
RSVP
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Healthcare Committee
March 12
At the VICA Office at Noon
RSVP
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Los Angeles Launches Effort to Encourage Starter Homes on City-Owned Vacant Lots
The city of Los Angeles is launching a new initiative to encourage the construction of starter homes on small lots, an effort to provide relatively lower-cost for-sale housing and show how Los Angeles can densify without turning into Manhattan.
The initiative, called Small Lots, Big Impacts, kicked off Wednesday with a design competition for architects and others to craft innovative plans for multiple small homes on one lot, with the hope those units will be less expensive than larger options being built by developers today. Read More.
Former L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Appeals Her Dismissal by Mayor Karen Bass
Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley took the extraordinary step Thursday of appealing Mayor Karen Bass’ decision to dismiss her over her handling of the catastrophic wildfire that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades.
The appeal, which would require the approval of 10 of 15 City Council members, is unlikely to succeed. But it will almost certainly cause further public turmoil for Bass, who has struggled to regain her political footing since the Palisades fire erupted Jan. 7.
Winning designs are meant to eventually serve as preapproved city templates that all developers could use. Government officials also plan to start selling off a handful of small, city-owned lots to builders to demonstrate — in real life — what is possible with the designs. Read More.
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Trump Administration Dramatically Cuts Staff at Water Agency in California
The Trump administration has ordered firings and buyouts at the federal agency that operates water infrastructure in California, potentially jeopardizing the agency’s ability to manage dams and deliver water, according to Central Valley water officials.
The job cuts at the Bureau of Reclamation were ordered by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, according to two bureau employees with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The bureau, which employs about 1,000 people, is set to lose about 100 employees in California through terminations and buyouts, eliminating about 10% of its regional staff, one of the employees said. But larger workforce reductions are planned, and the bureau has been ordered to prepare plans to cut its staff by 40%, this person said. Read More.
Los Angeles Firefighters Honored on Stage at Oscars Ceremony
Los Angeles firefighters were honored on stage at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, met with a standing ovation from some of Hollywood's biggest names.
A total of 12 firefighters from across the county were invited to the stage in between award presentations, where they received more than a minute worth of cheering from the crowd for their efforts during January's devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. They were joined on stage by host Conan O'Brien, who reminded the crowd that they had to laugh at jokes read by firefighters from the teleprompter. Read More.
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Get Your Message in VICA Weekly!
VICA members can promote their business, events and news in VICA Weekly. Member messages are available for $50 per week or $175 for four weeks. Messages are text-based and may not contain more than 70 words. A logo may be added for an additional $5 per week. For more information or to schedule your member message, contact yoko@vica.com or call (818) 817-0545.
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ABOUT VICA
Presenting the business perspective on behalf of employers in the
San Fernando Valley cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Calabasas,
Hidden Hills, San Fernando and Santa Clarita.
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