May 1, 2026

BOMA California Sponsored Cleanup Relief Bill Advances Out of Assembly Revenue & Taxation Committee

AB 1606, the Business Clean-Up Relief Act of 2026, passed the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee on April 27, marking a key step forward in addressing rising cleanup costs tied to unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping on private property.

Sponsored by CBPA and BOMA California, the bill creates a targeted tax credit to help small businesses and property owners offset one-time cleanup expenses. As amended, AB 1606 provides a credit equal to 30 percent of qualified costs, capped at $20,000 annually, and limited to small businesses with $5 million or less in gross receipts.

The measure is narrowly focused on verifiable cleanup activities such as waste removal, sanitization, minor repairs, and temporary deterrents. It excludes ongoing maintenance, permanent security systems, and employee labor, and requires documentation and certification to ensure accountability.

With strong committee support, AB 1606 now heads to Assembly Appropriations for further consideration.

Click here to view the press release.

BOMA California, CBPA, and CHLA Oppose Unprecedented REIT Bill in Assembly Labor Committee

BOMA California, CBPA, and the California Hotel and Lodging Association (CHLA) oppose AB 1869 (Haney), an unprecedented measure that would break from federal REIT standards and create new uncertainty for real estate investment across California. The bill was heard in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, where concerns were raised about the broader economic and investment impacts beyond the hotel sector.

CBPA’s Vice President of Government Relations, Skyler Wonnacott provided primary opposition testimony highlighting the bill’s ripple effects on commercial real estate, including office, retail, and industrial assets, as well as the potential risk to retirement investments tied to REIT performance. CHLA led the effort on this issue, and we appreciate their leadership in coordinating the coalition and elevating the concerns of stakeholders across the industry.

REITs play a critical role in providing access to real estate investment for everyday Californians and are widely held through pension funds and retirement accounts. Creating a separate and uncertain regulatory framework at the state level risks discouraging investment and shifting capital away from California.

Click here to view video testimony

Click here to view the coalition letter

BOMA California Board Meeting Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the BOMA California Board Meeting on April 29 in San Diego, held at the conclusion of the joint BOMA Pacific Southwest Region / BOMA Pacific Northwest Region Conference. It was a fantastic way to wrap up an engaging two days of networking and education. A special thank you to BOMA San Diego and BOMA Seattle for their leadership in planning and delivering such a successful conference experience.

We kicked off the meeting with a special guest presentation from Kent Kauss, Regional VP of External Affairs at Sempra Energy, who provided valuable insight into the greenhouse gas initiatives currently moving through the state legislature. He also highlighted the ongoing efforts of California Business Properties Association and BOMA California to help shape these proposals in a way that is both effective and feasible for implementation across the commercial real estate industry. Click here to view a summary of the various policy proposals and their potential impact on the CRE industry.

During our standing “Good of the Association” discussion, local BOMA associations shared updates on their advocacy efforts and exchanged ideas around membership growth, programming, and member engagement, underscoring the strength of collaboration across our network. We also discussed the critical importance of continuing to build a strong PAC to help advance and protect the interests of commercial real estate at the state and local levels. We encourage your participation in our upcoming PAC at the A’s Ballpark Events:

Friday, May 15 (A’s vs. Giants), co-hosted with the BOMA San Francisco PAC
Wednesday, July 1 (A’s vs. Dodgers), co-hosted with the BOMA Greater Los Angeles PAC

We concluded the meeting with a legislative update from Matthew Hargrove, who provided an overview of BOMA California’s sponsored bills, including AB 1606 (Business Cleanup Relief Act), AB 1995 (Fire Marshal Working Group on Lithium-Ion Charging Stations), AB 2418 (Permit Streamlining), and AB 2607 (CalCAP ADA & Seismic Fund Access). These measures reflect our continued commitment to advancing policies that support the operational and long-term success of California’s commercial real estate industry.

Thank you again for your engagement and leadership. We look forward to continuing this important work together!

Deadline Crunch: Legislature Moves

Hundreds of Bills Ahead of Key Deadline

April 24 marked the deadline for policy committees to hear and report fiscal bills to Appropriations. Today, May 1, is the last day for policy committees to hear and report non-fiscal bills introduced in their house to the floor.

In the final push leading up to these deadlines, the Legislature processed an estimated 900 bills across roughly 75 committee hearings, reflecting the volume and pace of activity as lawmakers worked through packed agendas.

Attention now shifts to the next critical date on May 15, when fiscal committees must finish hearing and advancing bills out of Appropriations, setting the stage for full floor action later in the month.

Click here to view calendar.

BOMA California Strongly Opposed Bill, SB 982 Climate Lawsuit Expansion, Stopped in Committee

BOMA California, alongside a broad coalition of business and community organizations, opposed SB 982 and stopped the bill from advancing out of the Senate Insurance Committee on April 22.

Skyler Wonnacott, BOMA California's Vice President of Government Relations, was present to provide “me too” opposition testimony on behalf of BOMA California, NAIOP California and CBPA.

The measure would have significantly expanded climate-related civil liability, raising concerns about increased litigation exposure, higher insurance costs, and broader economic impacts across California. Opponents also warned the bill could contribute to higher fuel costs and increased price pressures throughout the supply chain, ultimately raising costs for businesses and consumers.

SB 982 failed on a 3-2-2 vote and will not move forward this year.

You're Invited: CBPA @ The Ballpark

Join us for an exclusive industry fundraiser to support the California Business Properties Association PAC in a private suite at the new home of the Athletics!

Enjoy premium hospitality as we watch the A’s take on the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Special guests to include state lawmakers and PAC contributors.

Click here to view sponsorship opportunities!