Legislative Priorities

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.

SB 902: Planning and Zoning: Housing Development

Author(s): Senator Scott Weiner Description: SB 902 would authorize a local government to pass an ordinance to zone any parcel for up to 10 units of residential density per parcel, at a height specified in the ordinance, if the parcel is located in a transit-rich area, a jobs-rich area, or an urban infill site. These projects would be exempt from CEQA Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to ensure additional housing is built at lower cost and without burdensome regulations. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee.

SB 939: Emergencies: COVID-19: Commercial Tenancies: Evictions

Author(s): Senator Scott Weiner Description: B 939, an urgency measure,would establish a temporary eviction moratorium and a 12-month rent repayment period,as specified,and procedures for the renegotiating or terminating of certain commercial tenancy leases, as specified, where a commercial tenant is impacted by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This bill failed to move out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Why we opposed it: Would lead to foreclosures and divestment in California by prohibiting commercial evictions and allowing commercial tenants to withhold rent for the entire duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency plus an additional 12 months, as well as unilaterally break leasing contracts. Status Update: On June 18, 2020 in the Senate: June 18 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

SB 995: Environmental Quality

Author(s): Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins Description: This bill would extend the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900) until 2025 and would make housing projects that meet certain requirements eligible for certification under the Act. AB 900 established specified administrative and judicial review procedures for the review of the environmental review documents and public agency approvals granted for designated residential, retail, commercial, sports, cultural, entertainment, or recreational use projects, known as Environmental Leadership Development Projects (ELDP). Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to ensure additional housing is built at lower cost and without burdensome regulations. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

SB 1085: Density Bonus Law

Author(s): Senator Nancy Skinner Description: SB 1085 would make several changes to the Density Bonus Law and grant additional benefits to housing development projects with a specified percentage of units designated for low and moderate income households, if the rent charged for those units is 30% below the market rate for the jurisdiction in which the development is proposed. Would make a student housing development eligible for one incentive or concession if at least 20% of the units are for lower-income students, as defined. Would also grant a 35% density bonus for a development with 20% of the units for low or moderate income households. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to ensure additional housing is built at lower cost and without burdensome regulations. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee on Housing & Community Development.

SB 1299: Housing Development: Incentives: Rezoning

Author(s): Senator Anthony Portantino Description: SB 1299 would establish a program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), upon appropriation of funding by the Legislature, to provide grants to cities and counties that rezone idle or underutilized big box retailer or commercial shopping center properties and instead provide for the development of workforce housing, as specified. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to ensure additional housing is built at lower cost and without burdensome regulations. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee on Housing & Community Development.

SB 1385: Local Planning: Housing: Commercial Zones

Author(s): Senator Anna Caballero Description: SB 1385 would enact the “Neighborhood Homes Act,” which establishes a housing development project as an authorized use on a parcel currently zoned for office or retail commercial use, as specified in a local agency’s zoning code or general plan. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goals to ensure additional housing in underutilized spaces without compromising local control. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee on L. GOV.

HOMELESSNESS

AB 3269: State & Local Agencies: Homelessness Plan

Author(s): Assemblymember Miguel Santiago Description: This bill requires the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (Council) to perform a homelessness statewide gaps and needs analysis by July 31, 2021. This includes Identifying programs and services in the state that serve people experiencing homelessness and Identifying the total number and type of permanent housing beds, units or opportunities avail able to persons experiencing homelessness. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goal to identify inefficiencies and needs for our homelessness assistance pipeline. Status Update: On July 2, 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 Housing.

SB 1065: CalWORKS: Homelessness Assistance

Author(s): Senator Bob Hertzberg Description: Senate Bill 1065 makes a series of changes to the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Homeless Assistance Program (HAP), includingeliminating the once in a 12-month period for temporary shelter assistance and permanent housing assistance, and allowing for a 16-day extension, as specified,to temporary shelter assistance. The CalWORKs program contains a variety of services designed to address homelessness, including Housing Support Program (HSP) and Housing Assistance Program (HAP). HAP provides temporary shelter assistance and permanent housing assistance to CalWORKs recipients and families that are apparently eligible for CalWORKs. Families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness are eligible for HAP. Why we’re supporting it: Falls in line with our goal to create a path to housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Status Update: On June 29, 2020 in the Assembly: Referred to Committee on Human Services.

BUSINESS OPERATION

AB 196: Workers Compensation: COVID-19

Author(s): Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez Description: This bill would define “injury,” for certain employees who are employed in an occupation or industry deemed essential in the Governor’s Executive Order of March 19, 2020 (Executive Order N-33-20), except as specified, or who are subsequently deemed essential, to include coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that develops or manifests itself during a period of employment of those persons in the essential occupation or industry. Why we’re opposing it: The bill provides a conclusive presumption that all COVID-19 infections suffered by essential workers on or after March 1, 2020 will be deemed an injury covered by Workers Compensation. This would shift the burden to the employer to provide that the injury was not work related; or the employer's workers compensation will cover the injury. Status Update: On May 5, 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

AB 398: COVID-19 Local Government and School Recovery and Relief Act

Author(s): Assemblymember Kansen Chu Description: AB 398 would institute a tax of $275 per employee for “an entity, including, but not limited to, a limited liability company, corporation, or limited liability partnership, that has more than 500 employees that perform any part of their duties within the state.” Why we’re opposing it: Unemployment rates are soaring and AB 398 will strongly disincentivize employers to hire beyond 499 employees since employee 500 will trigger $137,500 in additional taxes. Status Update: On July 1, 2020 in the Senate: Re-referred to Committee on Governance and Finance

AB 3216: Employee leave: Authorization

Author(s): Assemblymember Ash Kalra Description: Expands leave and job protections for employees during a state of emergency, including leave under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), paid sick leave, and rehire rights for workers Why we’re opposing it: This new mandate is in addition to numerous COVID-19 leave requirements recently enacted at the federal, state and local levels, and will further burden California employers at a time they can least afford it. Status Update: On July 1, 2020 in the Senate: Referred to Committee on Public Employment & Retirement

Welcome the Chamber's New Public Policy Team!

Our new Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Development, Diana Yedoyan, and our new Director of Public Policy & Economic Development, Carli Olson will be working together to help us grow our public policy and economic development in order to continue to elevate the voices and interests of the Hollywood's business community not only in local and state government, but nationwide. With their expertise and experience, we know that they will be instrumental in ensuring that Hollywood's experience exceeds its dream! We look forward to you getting to know them better at our upcoming committee meetings and virtual events.

DIANA YEDOYAN

Vice President of Public Policy & Economic Development

Diana Yedoyan is an Armenian American immigrant passionate about public policy and advocacy. An urban planner by trade and having served as Senior Manager of Public Policy for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Diana understands the inner workings of government as well as the importance of businesses and all its stakeholders. Having previously served as policy director for LA City Council District 14, Diana understands the complexities of policy making as well as the nuanced nature of Los Angeles politics. Diana has worked in the political sector for 10 years and is an expert in politics, public policy and government affairs, She is a proud board member of the nonprofit Bridge of Health where they work to bridge the gap of healthcare for children battling cancer in Armenia.

CARLI OLSON

Director of Public Policy & Economic Development

Carli graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She served as Legislative Aide in Sacramento and Field Representative in Los Angeles/Ventura County for the California State Assembly. She most recently worked in Public Sector Services for Waste Management. Familiar with both the public and private sector, Carli is excited to be joining the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce team and is eager to advocate for a dynamic business climate.

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