California Climate Bill Would Make Companies Disclose Emissions

California lawmakers introduced a package of climate bills Monday aimed at holding corporations responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. Among the bills are laws requiring companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, prohibiting public pension funds from investing in fossil fuel companies, and forming a group to analyze climate-related financial risks for corporations. Similar efforts in prior sessions have failed to win enough support, but the Democratic lawmakers behind them say they’re hopeful for a different outcome this year. To read more, click here.

Groundbreaking California Fast-Food Law Heads To Statewide Referendum and Big Political Fight

On January 24^th California’s secretary of state confirmed enough signatures were collected to trigger a statewide referendum on the landmark Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act. The law, AB 257, was hailed as groundbreaking by labor advocates to improve working conditions in the fast-food industry when it was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September. Most noteworthy, the bill would establish a council to set industrywide health and safety standards, and potentially set a fast-food minimum wage as high as $22 an hour. The fast-food industry, which has argued the law would put restaurants out of business, and trigger more inflation, celebrated the referendum. To read more, click here.

Environmental Rules Stoke Anger as California Lets Precious Stormwater Wash Out to Sea

Since the beginning of January, a series of atmospheric rivers has disgorged trillions of gallons of much-needed moisture across drought-stricken California, but only a small fraction of that water has so far made it into storage. In the California delta, one of the largest water systems in the state, nearly 95% of incoming water has flowed into the Pacific Ocean, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The water from the delta and the water from the storm season has sparked debate amongst lawmakers as to improve water capturing to assist the needs of the state.

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Attend our Next GAC Meeting on February 16

Please attend the Chamber’s next Government Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 4 PM at the Chamber Office.

We have an action-packed meeting lined up, including the following:

- Presentation by HBC on the Saks Fifth Avenue Development Project
- Update on State and Federal Laws That Will Impact The Business Community
- Presentation On the California Green Business Program

Attendance is complimentary for Chamber members. To register, please click here or Contact: Greg Sefain, Economic Development Manager; [email protected]

Upcoming Events & Meetings 

2.7     Get To Know Your Chamber | 9 - 10:30 AM @ Chamber Boardroom
2.9     Webinar: Employment Laws Your Business Should Know About in 2023 | 12 - 1:30 PM 

2.9     Young Professionals Network Committee Meeting | 2 - 3 PM 
2.10   February Networking Breakfast | 8:30 - 10 AM @ INDI EV 
2.15   Economic Development Council Lunch | 12 - 1:00 PM @ Avra Beverly Hills
2.16   Government Affairs Committee Meeting | 4 - 5 PM @ Chamber Boardroom 
2.21   Women's Business Network Committee Meeting | 4:30 - 5:30 PM @ Chamber Boardroom 

2.22   February Chairman's Circle Networking Luncheon | 12 - 1 PM @ Il Fornaio 
3.1     Health and Wellness Committee Meeting | 8 - 9 AM