Weekly Update

What You Need To Know | June 2, 2023

First House Policy Deadline

Today is one of the major deadlines in the California State Legislature – First House Deadline. Basically, if a bill isn’t out of the House it was introduced in it is “dead” for the year.

Again, we are still sorting through all the actions, so don’t fret if you don’t see a bill in this list. If you have a question about a specific bill, please feel free to email by replying to this message.

Many bills we oppose made it through the deadline. We will continue to work on those bills and will let you know how you can help.

LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

Legislation Spotlight: Assembly Bills 6 & 7

BOMA California and a coalition of organizations have joined the opposition to AB 6 and 7, both introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank).

AB 6’s requirement for metropolitan planning organizations to seek approval from the California Air Resources Board for their technical methodology is burdensome and increases the likelihood of major delays. AB 7 introduces a new layer of project selection criteria that must be incorporated into the selection process for transportation projects, creating a new and overly complex burden on the project selection process.

AB 7 squeaked out of the Assembly with the bare minimum of votes, 41-15. AB 6 has yet to pass through the Assembly.

Rent Control Expansion Bill Dies in the Senate

A major bill on rent control, which would rewrite the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, failed to move off the Senate Floor. SB 466 (Wahab; D Hayward) received only 15 of the 21 votes needed to pass the State Senate. Many studies have demonstrated the disastrous effect that rent control has on new construction. Rent control adds to the challenges California already faces with cities that violate the state’s housing development laws. At a time when California desperately needs new housing, SB 466 would have made it more difficult to deliver.

CalChamber Emphasizes the Need for Infrastructure Streamlining

The California Chamber of Commerce has urged the legislature to adopt Governor Newsom's proposed infrastructure streamlining proposals. This includes transportation modernization, streamlined permitting, CEQA reform, and improvements to the state's water infrastructure. In a letter sent to legislators this week, CalChamber addressed the urgent needs of California’s aging infrastructure while prioritizing the state’s workforce, environment, and economy.

BOMA California Supports SB 585's Proposed ADA Reforms

SB 585, introduced by Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks), proposes a solution to some of California’s most flagrant lawsuit abuses. The bill prohibits construction-related accessibility claims from being initiated until a defendant has been served with a demand letter specifying each alleged violation and given 120 days to correct the alleged violation.

In 2008, legislation was signed to strike a fair and reasonable balance between lawsuits meant to enforce access laws but also facilitate and acknowledge the efforts of businesses who desire to comply and take steps accordingly. The California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA) was formed as a result of this legislation. BOMA California maintains an active role with CCDA, with Vice President Sarahann Shapiro recently elected to the commission.

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Why Attend the 2023 California Commercial Real Estate Summit?

"CCRES is an unparalleled opportunity to meet with many legislators within a matter of hours. The ability to effectively educate key lawmakers on the commercial real estate industry is extremely rewarding, especially when you see the impact these conversations have on the decisions being made in Sacramento."

Courtney Smith

Development Manager

Newcastle Partners

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Podcast Spotlight:

Real Estate is Really About People

In a recent episode of the Where We Buy podcast, industry leaders Shelley Reininga, Regional Manager at JLL, and John Reininga, founder of Reininga Corporation tell the stories behind notable commercial real estate projects, including Town Center Corte Madera, one of the earliest mixed-use shopping centers, the origins of Santana Row in San Jose, and the pivotal role Paseo Nuevo played in revitalizing downtown Santa Barbara.

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BOMA California Joins the Sites Reservoir Support Coalition

BOMA California has joined a coalition encouraging the State Water Resources Control Board to approve a water right permit for the proposed Sites Reservoir, a multi-benefit water storage project that would provide a reliable water supply for decades to come.

Sites Reservoir would be an off-stream storage facility that captures and stores stormwater flows in the Sacramento River for California communities, farms, and businesses. When integrated with the state’s existing water management system, it would increase the total amount of managed water in storage and create additional flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.

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