PUBLIC POLICY
HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER
2020 Legislative Priorities
Above: The Hollywood Chamber DC advocacy delegation getting briefed by Fernando Morales of Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell's office.
In what could be one of the most consequential legislative sessions in Sacramento, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has radically transformed its advocacy strategy to more effectively represent its members in the Capitol. Last year, members participated in an extensive “Legislative Priorities Survey,” which allowed the Chamber’s staff and Legislative Action Committee Co-Chairs to update its Legislative Policy Guide. The Guide had not been updated since 2010. This “living document” outlines general policy positions on the major issues impacting Hollywood and guides staff in determining the policies and legislation that the Chamber should weigh in on. On the following pages are official positions taken by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in support or opposition to various pieces of legislation currently moving through the State Legislature. This session, our highest priorities focused on housing and homelessness. With the state already in a housing and homelessness crisis before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic recession, it is crucial that the state focus on providing additional homelessness resources and streamline the construction of additional housing. That is why one of our main goals under “Land Use & Housing” in our Legislative Policy Guide is for the State Legislature to enact California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) modernization legislation to ensure projects are not stalled or permanently halted because of frivolous lawsuits.
HOUSING AB 2323: CEQA Exemptions
Author(s): Assemblymember Laura Friedman Description: Expands the application of CEQA exemptions for housing and other specified projects by permitting community plans, as defined, to serve as the basis for exemption of residential, mixed-use and employment center projects near transit. Eliminates the exclusion of sites within the boundaries of a state conservancy from existing exemptions for affordable agricultural housing, affordable urban housing, and urban infill housing. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to modernize CEQA and to ensure additional housing can be constructed without the threat of frivolous CEQA litigation. Status Update: On July 1, 2020 in the Senate: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Committee on Environmental Quality. hollywoodchamber.net
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SUMMER 2020 ADVOCATE
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