The Alhambra Chamber Government Affairs Committee met Thursday, April 25, where legislative representatives and local water agencies gave updates and the committee discussed possible endorsements of upcoming state legislation.

The Chamber board voted to support the California Retail Theft Reduction Act (AB 2943), which was discussed in the last government affairs committee meeting. In the Assembly, the bill passed the public safety committee unanimously and is now in appropriations, which will have a decision by mid-late May.

The committee voted to oppose SB 1272, a bill that would allow gift cards and certificates to be exchanged for cash at businesses if the value is $25 or less. Previously, the limit was $10. Committee members expressed this would have an adverse impact on small businesses who would need to keep cash on hand and be less incentivized to sell gift cards.

The committee decided to monitor SB 1490, a bill authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo that would require food delivery platforms like Doordash and Grubhub to provide more transparency to consumers through disclosing fees and commissions charged to the restaurant and give restaurants a way to remove themselves from platforms. Committee members expressed interest in scheduling a meeting with legislative aides from Durazo’s office to talk more about the bill, which was recently amended.

The committee voted to support SB 1330, a bill that would give local water retailers more time and flexibility to comply with water conservation regulations from the State Water Control Board. The regulations are intended to implement laws passed in 2018 to require urban retail water suppliers to reduce water use in residential and commercial sectors. The representative from MWD said their smaller member agencies are in support of the bill, as it would give them more time to communicate with and educate the public.

The committee voted to oppose SB 1116, a bill that would restore eligibility for unemployment benefits for employees that left work due to a trade dispute after two weeks. It would also ensure that employees who left work due to a lockout by the employer would also maintain eligibility for benefits.

The committee voted to remain neutral on AB 2262, a bill aimed to increase procurement opportunities for small businesses. The bill would require the Office of Small Business Advocate to collaborate with local agencies to develop and implement local strategies to increase small business participation in local procurement opportunities.