Congratulations to Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper on his significant achievement in clearing the first legislative hurdle towards his confirmation by the California State Senate for his appointment to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

This milestone, marked by a unanimous 5-0 vote at the California Senate Rules Committee Hearing, is a strong affirmation of Sheriff Cooper's exceptional service and dedication. CBPA, which has a longstanding rapport with Sheriff Cooper, is especially pleased with this development. CBPA’s lobbyist, Skyler Wonnacott, was present at the hearing to testify in support of his confirmation, emphasizing our robust support. This relationship has been instrumental in collaborating on significant issues like retail theft and organized retail crime, areas where Sheriff Cooper, both as a Legislator and now as Sacramento County Sheriff, has made significant impactful contributions.

His expertise and insights have been a cornerstone at various CBPA events, including his prominent role at the Commercial Real Estate & Retail Symposium as part of the Democratic Caucus meeting. Sheriff Cooper's unanimous approval by the Senate Rules Committee reflects not just his professional acumen but also the deep trust and respect he has cultivated across diverse sectors in California.

CBPA along with a large coalition of business groups is currently lobbying in opposition to AB 1550 (Bennett; D-Oxnard). The bill will have devastating consequences for the launch of a clean, sustainable, and affordable hydrogen market in California. AB 1550 will limit production and dramatically increase the cost of hydrogen production and use. Efforts to mandate hydrogen use to replace natural gas will put California food producers and processors at a significant competitive disadvantage in national and global markets. California energy costs are already unsustainable, and AB 1550 will push them far higher. CBPA will continue to provide updates on this bill as they become available.

Organized retail crime (ORC) accounts for nearly $30 billion in economic loss per year in the United States. CBPA is joining forces with partner organizations to take on this problem by supporting a multi-pronged approach, including supporting legislation and a proposed ballot initiative.

A coalition of groups are working to qualify a statewide ballot measure, Californians to Reduce Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft. CBPA is pleased to make a sizable contribution to this effort, in addition to our work advocating for legislation to address this problem.

We will continue to provide updates on this critical issue impacting the commercial real estate industry.

The CBPA team headed to Los Angeles last Thursday for the Building Owners and Managers Association Greater Los Angeles (BOMA GLA) real estate forecast breakfast, which featured CBPA Chair Rob Cord as a panelist.

The fun continued at the BOMA GLA Government Affairs Committee Meeting, where we had the opportunity to discuss legislative happenings in Sacramento. Thank you BOMA GLA for hosting our team and congratulations on a successful forecast event!

Looking for more information on new laws and proposed legislation that impacts our industry? CBPA has created fact sheets to help you learn about critical issues impacting commercial real estate, including:

• AB 1218: Demolition of Residential Dwelling Units
• AB 1572: Potable Water Use on Nonfunctional Turf 
• SB 253: Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act
• And more!