Small-business owners from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) California Leadership Council visited the State Capitol on August 26 for a day focused on lobbying legislators about issues important to Main Street businesses.
“Legislators, state constitutional officers, and all their staffs know how important it is when small business owners take time away from their enterprises to come and speak with them,” said NFIB California State Director John Kabateck. “I want to thank our Leadership Council members who made the sacrifice for the greater good of California small businesses.”
As of September 2, there are 11 days left in the current session of the California State Legislature. According to CalMatters, nearly 700 bills remain in suspense files in both chambers’ appropriations committees. Lawmakers are reviewing these proposals, which have new spending attached, before the legislative deadline on September 12.
Two bills discussed during recent member visits include Senate Bill 690 (Caballero), which NFIB supports. The organization argues this bill is needed to prevent lawsuits against businesses for activities already governed by existing privacy laws. In contrast, NFIB opposes Senate Bill 512 (Perez), stating that it would allow certain districts to impose transportation-related retail taxes through initiatives and could undermine requirements for special tax approval.
For context, there are currently 2,825 bills in play this year. Of those tracked by NFIB: 60 are being supported, opposed or monitored; 30 are considered dead; 25 remain active or awaiting decisions; two have been signed into law via the budget; two are being monitored; and one is a two-year bill.
A past proposal targeting single-use plastics was removed from the ballot after Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 54 into law in July 2022. This legislation introduced significant restrictions on single-use plastics and packaging in California. According to CalRecycle’s news release, “California’s landmark packaging law is the most significant overhaul of California’s plastics and packaging recycling policy in history.” The regulations require that by 2032 all single-use packaging sold must be recyclable or compostable, with specific targets for recycling rates and reductions compared to previous years.
Key dates ahead include California’s upcoming anniversary on September 9 and legislative deadlines such as October 15—the last day for gubernatorial action on bills passed before September 12.
Nationally, NFIB will host a webinar titled “Hiring and Retention Tips in a Tight Labor Market” on September 3 at noon ET. In federal advocacy updates, an ad campaign thanked lawmakers for making permanent a key small business tax deduction. “For years, NFIB’s members have spoken out about the importance of making the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent,” said President Brad Close.
Additionally, Tyler Dever addressed ongoing concerns over health insurance costs facing small businesses: “The overarching theme is clear: without Congressional action, small businesses will continue to face disproportionate pressure from rising health insurance costs, leading to lower offer rates, higher turnover, and diminished economic dynamism.”
The latest quarterly report from NFIB’s Research Center noted improved optimism among small business owners across several sectors. Executive Director Holly Wade stated: “Small business optimism increased in all four industry sectors, with optimism being the highest in manufacturing primarily due to increased expectations for better business conditions in the next six months.”
The next update from Main Street Minute will be available September 8.
