On Monday, CBPA, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, and Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen formally announced our industry sponsored bill, AB 1435 - The Business Clean-Up Relief Act of 2025, which provides tax relief to businesses burdened with cleanup costs from encampments on private property. The announcement has garnered media attention with coverage from The Sacramento Bee, FOX40, and KFBK Radio.

This legislation is a strong first step toward addressing a critical issue affecting our members and businesses statewide, and we will continue to keep you updated as AB 1435 moves through the legislative process.

After significant pushback from stakeholders, including many of our members, SB 789 (Menjivar; D-Van Nuys) has been substantially amended to remove the proposed $5-per-square-foot vacancy tax. While this change marks important progress, we remain opposed to the bill.

As amended, SB 789 now requires owners of non-residential property to annually report vacancy details—including the number of vacant days, reasons for vacancy, and any ongoing renovations—to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Property owners who fail to report would face state-imposed penalties.

Our industry will continue to argue that this unnecessary and expensive data collection mandate will cost the state millions and deliver little value. We will keep working with our coalition partners to oppose this burdensome proposal and advocate for more effective, practical solutions.

As Los Angeles faces a significant budget deficit, SB 709 (Menjivar; D-Van Nuys) would further strain local finances by imposing price caps on self-storage units—reducing property values and slashing over $140 million in local tax revenue each year. This includes more than $61 million in lost funding for public schools, which would need to be backfilled by the state.

With cities, counties, and school districts already under fiscal pressure, this bill threatens critical public services and should be opposed. We are actively working with our coalition partners to oppose SB 709 and will continue to keep you informed as it moves through the Legislature.

A recent Spectrum News 1 article offers an update on Proposition 36, California’s new law aimed at curbing repeat drug and theft offenses. Early data suggests it’s effectively targeting habitual offenders—90% of those recently arrested for retail theft had prior convictions.

However, officials warn that the law’s impact is being undercut by a lack of funding for court-ordered treatment, a key part of its design. Supporters are now urging the state to allocate hundreds of millions in funding to expand treatment programs.

CBPA was an early advocate for Prop 36 and has remained actively engaged in its rollout, participating in key implementation meetings in Los Angeles last December and in Sacramento earlier this month.

In case you missed it: CBPA and California Taxpayers Association (CalTax) are leading a fast-growing statewide coalition in strong opposition to Senate Bill 789 (Menjivar; D-Van Nuys), a just-unveiled proposal that would impose a $5-per-square-foot annual tax on vacant commercial properties. The bill, slated to take effect in 2028, also threatens a steep 75% penalty for reporting errors related to the tax.

The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee is set to hear SB 789 on Wednesday, April 23. We urge you to contact state senate representatives ASAP to push back against this bill.

On Monday, April 21, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) will join CBPA and local business leaders to announce AB 1435, the Business Clean-Up Relief Act of 2025. The bill offers a five-year tax credit to cover costs from encampment-related cleanup, vandalism, and security on private property.

Sponsored by CBPA, AB 1435 aims to help small businesses recover, promote safe neighborhoods, and address growing challenges in commercial areas. A press conference will be held ahead of the bill’s hearing in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.

This CBPA-sponsored bill is part of our ongoing work to not only oppose harmful legislation, but also advance real solutions to the challenges facing our industry.

CBPA President & CEO Matthew Hargrove joined a panel of industry leaders at the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation’s 20th Annual Real Estate Forecast on April 10.

Speaking to an audience of real estate professionals, Hargrove emphasized the growing burden commercial property owners face from an overwhelming volume of state legislation. The newly proposed bills highlighted would have wide-ranging impacts, especially in regions still recovering from years of economic slowdown. 

Special thanks to Fresno County EDC for inviting CBPA to participate!

Get ready, LA! CBPA and our affiliate BOMA California are thrilled to partner with BOMA Pacific Southwest to present their first conference in three decades—and it's all going down next Thursday in Los Angeles!

This long-anticipated event promises to bring together the best and brightest minds in commercial real estate for a day packed with high-impact education, inspiring speakers, and powerful networking opportunities. Whether you're looking to stay ahead of industry trends, gain fresh insights, or build lasting connections, this is the place to be.

CBPA partner California Commission for Disability Access (CCDA) is hosting a webinar on their Accessible Guide to Parking for Business Owners and Operators, a toolkit that promotes awareness, summarizes requirements, and offers resources to help avoid those complaints involving issues with accessible parking and accessible routes. 

The webinar will take place on April 22nd at noon and will be an educational opportunity for business owners and operators to learn more about accessibility parking compliance.