Weekly Update

February 26, 2026

CBPA Joins Broad Coalition to Advance Local Taxpayer Protection Act, An Initiative to Save Prop. 13, for 2026 Ballot

A broad coalition of business and taxpayer advocates, including the California Business Properties Association, has submitted more than 1.3 million signatures to qualify the Local Taxpayer Protection Act for the November 2026 statewide ballot. The measure is intended to reaffirm voter-approved safeguards under Proposition 218 and ensure greater transparency, accountability, and voter consent before local tax increases are imposed.

Coalition leaders emphasized that the initiative comes at a critical time, as California businesses and families continue to face rising housing costs, energy rates, insurance premiums, and regulatory burdens. If certified, the measure would strengthen existing protections and prevent new local taxes from being enacted without clear disclosure and two-thirds voter approval.

Matthew Hargrove, President and CEO of the California Business Properties Association, added: “Commercial property owners and small businesses are already navigating rising property insurance, energy rates, and regulatory costs. This measure helps ensure that local tax increases cannot be imposed without clear voter consent and honest disclosure. That stability is essential to keeping businesses open, workers employed, and communities thriving.”

If certified, the Local Taxpayer Protection Act will appear on the November 2026 ballot, marking the next phase of a statewide campaign focused on affordability, transparency, and taxpayer protections.

Event Recap & Photos: 2026 Legislative All-Star Awards

The California Business Properties Association’s Legislative All-Star Awards event, held at the Hyatt Regency overlooking the State Capitol, brought together CBPA leaders and key lawmakers to celebrate leadership, partnership, and advocacy.

The program was led by CBPA Board Chair Phil Tate and CEO Matthew Hargrove, who highlighted CBPA’s continued role as a leading voice for California’s commercial real estate industry. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Legislator of the Year award to Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, recognizing his leadership and partnership on issues impacting the industry.

The luncheon also honored past and present leaders whose work has strengthened CBPA’s legislative impact. Past Chair Rob Cord was recognized with a legislative resolution honoring his service, presented by Senator Roger Niello and Assemblymember Joe Patterson, while Sarahann Shapiro received a resolution presented by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens recognizing her leadership and tireless advocacy to protect the commercial real estate industry.

This annual event underscored CBPA’s legislative leadership and its strong relationships with the policymakers shaping the future of California's business climate.

Click here to view the event photo gallery!

Congratulations to all of CBPA’s 2026 Legislative All-Star Awardees: Assemblymember Greg Wallis, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, Senator Tim Grayson, Assemblymember Joe Patterson, Assemblymember Mark González, Assemblymember Diane Dixon, Assemblymember Lori Wilson, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens, Senator Laura Richardson

California Democratic Congressman and 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Eric Swalwell Meets with BOMA California Board Members

CORRECTION: In last week’s newsletter regarding the BOMA California Board Meeting conversation with gubernatorial candidate and Congressmember Eric Swalwell, Manny Moreno was incorrectly identified as a past Chair of BOMA California. The reference should have reflected his service as President of BOMA Oakland/East Bay.

We regret the error and any confusion it may have caused. We thank Manny for his many years of volunteer leadership at the local, state, and international levels. As Immediate Past Chair of BOMA International, he continues to serve on the BOMA International Executive Committee, and his dedication to the commercial real estate industry remains steadfast.

BOMA California was pleased to welcome Eric Swalwell, California Democratic Congressman and 2026 gubernatorial candidate, as a special guest speaker at our Board of Directors meeting on February 19. Congressman Swalwell shared his priorities for California, including addressing crime, improving government efficiency, reducing regulatory red tape—summed up by his tagline, “California is a blue state wrapped in red tape”—positioning California as a true technology leader, and addressing issues important to the commercial real estate industry and the state’s economic future.

Congressman Swalwell is the second gubernatorial candidate to engage directly with CBPA and BOMA California members, following Antonio Villaraigosa, who joined members during the November Strategic Issues Conference. These conversations underscore the leadership role our members play across California and the importance of the commercial real estate industry to candidates seeking statewide office.

Special thanks to BOMA California Board Member, Immediate Past BOMA International Chair, and BOMA Oakland/East Bay Past President Manny Moreno for helping facilitate the invitation and making Congressman Swalwell’s participation possible. We appreciate the opportunity for continued dialogue with leaders shaping California’s future.

CBPA Backs CMTA Effort to Restore Manufacturing Investment Credit

CBPA is proud to continue supporting the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) and its coalition of business organizations in urging lawmakers to include a $210 million Manufacturing Investment Credit (MIC) in the 2026–27 State Budget. The proposal would re-establish a targeted tax credit allowing manufacturers to recover sales and use taxes paid on qualifying new equipment purchased and installed in California, helping the state remain competitive with the 38 other states that already offer similar incentives.

Beyond strengthening California’s manufacturing sector, the MIC would support construction workers, suppliers, logistics providers, and small businesses throughout local communities. Economic analyses indicate the credit could help create up to 163,000 jobs and generate $4.5 billion in statewide economic activity.

You're Invited: California Commission on Disability Access's Commission to Community Event | Thursday, March 26, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM in Kern County

This interactive discussion will share practical disability access tips to help businesses ensure their spaces are accessible to all customers and foster collaboration between the business and disability communities. This event is in person in Bakersfield, CA.

Location and Address: Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center | Salon A Room - 801 Truxtun Ave in Bakersfield, California 93301

BOMA California Sponsored Bill Alert

AB 2418 (González) is one of BOMA California's sponsored bills this year. This measure is also co-authored by Assemblymembers Wicks, Rubio, Nguyen, and Zbur and aims to address prolonged local plan-check delays for nonresidential projects and establishes clear, enforceable timelines for permit review.

AB 2418 would:

Require local agencies to provide an estimated plan-check timeline upon deeming an application complete.
Shorten the definition of “excessive delay” from 50 days to 30 days and allow use of a qualified private plan checker when timelines are exceeded.
Require permit issuance (or written notice of noncompliance) and final inspection within firm 10-business-day deadlines in specified circumstances.

This is a targeted reform designed to bring predictability and accountability to nonresidential permitting while preserving local oversight.

Big thank you to our local co-sponsors NAIOP SoCal and BOMA Greater Los Angeles for their partnership and support on this effort.

Click here to View the Fact Sheet

2026 Bill Introduction Deadline

The deadline to introduce legislation for the 2026 session passed on February 20, with a total of 1,798 bills introduced. Notably, 550 bills were introduced on the final day alone, including 250 spot (intent) bills.

While these measures outline policy intent, they do not yet contain substantive language. Lawmakers now have until March 16 in the Assembly and March 25 in the Senate to amend spot bills with full legislative text.

CBPA will continue monitoring these measures as details emerge and assessing their potential impact on California’s commercial real estate industry.