We oppose SB 1387 (de Leon; D-Los Angeles) because the bill would substantially and adversely modify the use of market-based incentive programs and would add state-level appointed positions to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board (SCAQMD) effectively shifting local control over critical regional air quality planning to state lawmakers in Sacramento. This bill was introduced in reaction to a recent personnel decision the board has made. California has led the nation in employing state-of-the-art ...

  We are also opposing AB 2002 (Stone; D-Scotts Valley) which seeks to codify unnecessarily strict rules for communicating with members and staff of the Coastal Commission, again, in response to a personnel discussion at the board.  This bill is unnecessary and duplicative of strict lobbying disclosure and communication requirements in the Coastal Act that already impose severe penalties for noncompliance. The bill would create a unique rule for the Coastal Commission and conflict with Political ...

  Our industry is opposing AB 2895 (Committee on Labor and Employment) because it imposes a needless paperwork burden that will not advance workplace safety, but will leave employers at risk of a civil penalty that is an unprecedented departure from exclusive Cal/OSHA enforcement of safety regulations. AB 2895 would require an employer to provide each employee with a copy of the employer’s Illness and Injury Prevention Program (IIPP) at the time of hire. It would further require upon enactment ...

In an example of having to engage on an otherwise innocuous bill, but an important reminder of why you must have people in Sacramento reading all of these measures… Our industry unfortunately had to push back on a SB 1138 (Hueso; D-San Diego), as introduced, because it would have had a significant negative impact on commercial real estate. The bill’s initial language would “require” local cities and counties to adopt an ordinance to mandate every resident, business, and public entity to dim ...

The California Chamber of Commerce released its “job creator” list which is used to call attention to the positive impact measures would have on California’s job climate and economic recovery if they were to become law.  As a proud member of the CalChamber and an allied member of the business coalition, we have the opportunity to provide input to the list and do everything we can to make sure that issues impacting the commercial real estate industry are considered for inclusion. Here is the ...

Our industry is opposing AB 2538 which seeks to ban a common business-to-business contractual agreement in leasing of commercial retail space at certain types of shopping malls.  Except in specific instances relating to seismic issues and consumer disclosures, the state has not sought to insert itself into such leasing agreements to the benefit of one business over another. Most commercial real estate leases will have dozens to hundreds of “deal points” that tenants and property owners/managers ...

Who says the Legislature is inefficient?  When they want to get something done, there is no rule, process, or policy question that will slow them down.  Many of you heard, like we did, this past Monday, that a “deal” had been struck over the weekend between Labor Unions, the Governor, and Democrats in the Legislature, to raise the state’s minimum wage.  That idea, was signed into law on Monday, going from rumour to bill to law in just Seven Days. Here is a WSJ story that puts our states ...

Earlier this week one of a package of industry-supported ADA bills cleared its first committee.  With 10 “aye” vote and zero “nay” votes, AB 2093 (Steinorth) passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee.  The bill, a reintroduction of a similar measure from last year, would clear up issues related to required lease language and disclosures when your building has been inspected by a California Certified Access Specialist (CASp).  Such inspections and disclosures provide a layer of legal protection ...

This week has been a quiet week in the Capitol due to the Legislative Spring Break Recess.  No committee hearings, no Floor sessions, and no Budget negotiations.  However, it’s the “calm before the storm.”  Next week legislators are back in town and the committee hearing process will begin again in earnest.  We expect more than 50 bills of interest will be heard in the next two weeks.  We will keep you posted on the progress of those that have the biggest impact on the commercial real ...

CBPA is working with Senator Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) and acting as the sponsor for SB 1253 which adds limited liability companies (LLC) to the list of business entities that can act as a licensed real estate broker. Since at least 1943, California has regulated real estate broker activities pursuant to the provisions of the Business and Professions Code.  The basic premise is that it is illegal to engage in the business of a real estate broker without a license from the Bureau of Real Estate.  ...