Legislative Wrap-Up

2022 Legislative Wrap Up

On Friday, September 30, Governor Gavin Newsom completed action on bills sent to him by the Legislature, including priority bills sent by your Chamber and our partner organizations throughout the state.

At the start of the year, 19 Job Killer bills were identified. Only two made it to the Governor’s desk.

Your SCV Chamber, along with our allies at the California Chamber of Commerce, worked on behalf of the business community to successfully defeat 15 Job Killer bills. The Governor also vetoed many SCV Chamber-opposed bills. In addition, many SCV Chamber-supported bills were signed into law.

Bills signed by the Governor will become law on January 1, 2023. Urgency, tax and budget-related measures go into effect immediately upon being signed.

Below is a snapshot of a few of the bills we took action on and the end result:

SB 113: California Employer Economic Relief - Support and Signed

Restores Net Operating Loss deduction and lifts cap placed on business incentive tax credits that were suspended in 2020’s state budget.

SB 1338: CARE ACT - Support and Signed

Changes the state’s process for caring for those facing extreme mental illness or drug addiction. Creates a system with advocates for those who need care, but also provides wraparound services to ensure those most in need get the treatment that’s needed.

SB 1162: Publication of Pay Data - Oppose but Signed

Encourages litigation against employers based on the publication of broad, unreliable data collected by the state. Undermines employers’ ability to hire, imposes burdensome administrative and record keeping requirements, and subjects employers to a private right of action. Job killer tag removed due to August 15, 2022 amendments removing requirement to publish individual pay data reports online.

AB 1951: Manufacturing Tax Credit Expansion - Support but Vetoed

Expands investment and production in California by expanding the sales and use tax exemption for the purchase of manufacturing and research and development (R&D) equipment.

Our Election Watch 2022 page can be found by visiting, www. scvchamber.com, under the Advocacy tab.

All information related to the General Election, including endorsements, voter registration and mail-in ballot information, can be found on our website. We encourage all who are eligible to vote and make sure your voice is heard this November.

All registered California voters should have received their vote-by-mail ballot with a prepaid, first class postage return envelope for the November 8, 2022 General Election.

You have multiple safe, secure, and reliable options for returning your ballot

• Mail – No stamp is required to return your ballot through the US Postal Service. Make sure your ballot is postmarked by November 8, 2022. • Drop box – Many counties will offer secure drop boxes to return your ballot. Make sure your ballot is deposited by 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022 • In-person – You can return your ballot to a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022. Many counties will have early voting locations available before Election Day. Voting locations will offer voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines, and language assistance.

We successfully work on behalf of our members to maintain a healthy and vibrant business climate in what has been ranked one of the most business friendly cities in California. We take an active role in shaping legislative policies in support of business.

We represent our members before local, regional, state, and federal governmental entities and provides a forum for our members to develop policy positions that directly impact the Santa Clarita Valley business community.

Our Government Affairs Council meets every second Wednesday of the month, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM and is open to all SCV Chamber members. The Council is dark for the remainder of the year, but our first 2023 meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Our advocacy work has never been more important and it is driven by our members. When we all speak with one voice and take action, we amplify The Voice of Business!

Celebrating a Pro-Jobs Win!

Aggressive federal antitrust legislation we’ve been working for months to halt has been shelved for the year. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s S.2992 will not move forward in the U.S. Senate – for now.

The federal bill dubbed the “American Innovation and Choice Online Act” doesn’t bolster choice or innovation. It actually threatens to undermine American innovation and cede our nation’s technological edge to foreign adversaries – all while hurting consumers, competition, and security. California, home to more tech jobs than any other state, stands to lose the most. S.2992’s failure to advance in the Senate is welcome news for the diverse business community!