Weekly Update

April 18, 2024

BOMA California's Memorable Day in San Francisco

BOMA California held its spring board meeting in San Francisco last Friday, with many memorable moments along the way. BOMA San Francisco hosted the event at the iconic Salesforce Tower, kicking off the festivities 62 floors up with a welcome reception at the top of the building. Senator Scott Wiener joined us at the board meeting to present Immediate Past President Tom Magnussen with a Senate Resolution acknowledging his service to our industry. The event concluded with a special tour of the impressive and expansive Salesforce Transit Center, a major new regional transit hub. Special thanks to BOMA San Francisco for hosting and to all of the attendees for making it an excellent event!

Expensive Janitorial Bills Proceed in the Legislature

AB 2364 (Rivas; D-Salinas) sets impractical production rate limits for janitorial work, potentially requiring 16 extra staff for large buildings and increasing costs by $100,000 monthly. BOMA California's Senior Director of Government Relations Skyler Wonnacott provided the bill’s primary opposition testimony in yesterday’s Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Meeting. As anticipated, the bill passed through the committee and will proceed in the legislative process.

AB 2374 (Haney; D-San Francisco) would transform the Displaced Janitor Opportunity Act into a joint liability statute under which any size company becomes liable for the failure of a contractor to comply with the Act. Despite being tagged as a job killer, the bill passed through its second policy committee on Tuesday.

BOMA California has joined a task force of interested parties and like-minded business groups to address the threat that these bills propose. We will keep you informed on this critical issue as it develops.

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Industry Sponsored Legislation Passes Through First Committee

Industry sponsored bill AB 3196 (Nguyen; D-Elk Grove), which aims to enhance the efficiency of legal processes in commercial property disputes. By setting a definitive schedule for demurrer hearings, AB 3196 will reduce delays and financial hardships faced by small property owners and new small businesses. This legislation is crafted to address the specific challenges within commercial real estate only, ensuring swift resolutions and enabling a healthier economic environment for small enterprises, without impacting residential legal proceedings.

AB 3196 passed through its first committee on Tuesday with no opposition and will now continue through the legislative process.

Reviving Spaces, Revitalizing Cities

California's Adaptive Reuse Bills Clear Committee Hurdle

This week marked a key advancement in sustainable urban development as a set of adaptive reuse bills cleared their way through their first policy committees. AB 2909 and AB 2910, both authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, together with AB 3068, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, aim to repurpose existing structures, such as vacant office buildings and commercial spaces, into much-needed residential housing.

These legislative efforts are designed to tackle the state’s acute housing shortage, minimize construction waste, and preserve architectural heritage, while also addressing high office vacancy rates by repurposing these underutilized spaces. Skyler Wonnacott, Senior Director of Government Relations testified in support of all three measures, highlighting their potential to streamline the conversion process, reduce regulatory barriers, and quickly boost the availability of affordable housing. These initiatives represent a crucial shift towards more adaptable and sustainable urban planning.

Zoning Notification Bill Advances

AB 2904 (Quirk-Silva; D-Fullerton), sponsored by NAIOP SoCal, recently passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee. This legislation extends the notice period for zoning changes to at least 20 days before scheduled public hearings, ensuring businesses have ample time to adapt their strategies and participate effectively in the decision-making process. Skyler Wonnacott, Senior Director of Government Relations testified in support of the measure on behalf of our industry. The extended notice period enhances transparency and predictability, promoting a stable and favorable business environment by allowing businesses to better manage risks, protect their interests, and foster stronger community relations.

Save the Date: New & Approved Industry Awards Dinner

Mark your calendars for the new and improved Industry Awards Dinner - taking place at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on November 7th. Enjoy a tour of our exciting new event venue prior to a night of celebrating our industry. Stay tuned for more information!

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