Advocacy

Now more than ever, state and local legislatures and regulatory agencies are poised to impact the commercial real estate industry. Increasingly, "hot" issues often take root in numerous legislatures simultaneously. State and local trends, whether motivated by public officials or private interests, play a larger role in advocacy programs across a wide spectrum of organizations. 

BOMA Oakland/East Bay in concert with BOMA International and BOMA California’s advocacy teams works to protect commercial real estate interests before state and local governments.  Membership in BOMA Oakland/East Bay places you on the cutting edge of local, state and national policy. Legislative, code and regulatory scrutiny help prevent costly initiatives from adversely affecting your property.

Nationally

BOMA Oakland/East Bay is represented by the Government and Industry Affairs Division of BOMA International in Washington D.C.  They educate members of Congress on the implications of new laws and regulations.  They effectively bring issues of concern to light with aggressive “grassroots” lobbying.     

2024 Federal Issues Briefs

 HR 1491 Small Business Energy Loan Enhancement Act 
 HR 1477 Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act
 HR 2621 Honoring Vocational Education Act
 

Policy Briefs & Updates  - Keep Up to Date Here

The PREPARE ACT - Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are increasing in frequency, costing the United States $800 billion in the last decade alone. Homes and small businesses have been devastated in recent years by the impacts of severe flooding. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) statistics show that about half (40 to 60 percent) of small businesses never reopen following a disaster, and every $1 spent on mitigation saves taxpayers an average of $6. Read this brief to find out more about the PREPARE Act and why BOMA believes it can empower small businesses to protect themselves against severe weather events.

Building Electrification: 10 Steps For A Balanced Approach
The concept of encouraging or mandating building electrification has evolved rapidly from a niche concept among a few cities and proponents, to a mainstream sustainability goal discussed on national and global scales. This policy brief explores 10 steps that can be taken to ensure the built environment stably and safely work towards a transition. Read here.

SEC Fact Sheet - As you know, the Securities Exchange Commission issued a rule on climate disclosure requirements for publicly traded companies. The Advocacy Team has developed the attached PDF to highlight the key elements of the rule. It is important to note that on Friday, the Fifth Circuit granted injunctive relief (suspending the rule temporarily) amid litigation challenging the regulations brought by Liberty Energy Inc. The court ruled that the stay was issued due to "irreparable injury in the form of unrecoverable compliance costs and constitutional injuries" that would result in the rule going forward.

AI Policy Brief - The latest BOMA International Policy Brief on Artificial Intelligence.  This topic has been at the forefront of discussion in both the public and private sectors, and we hope you find the information helpful.  We will continue to update on this subject as the technology evolves.

   

California State

BOMA Oakland/East Bay retains a legislative consultant through BOMA California to represent our interests at the State Legislature. Our presence is intense throughout the Legislative Session. During the interim, BOMA meets with the elected leadership to ensure that impacting legislation reflects the thinking of our industry. Codes and Regulations affecting the maintenance and operation of our members’ buildings are monitored to ensure that they are reasonable and cash-effective.



BOMA Cal 2024 Legislative/Regulatory Summary 

BOMA Cal 2023 Legislative/Regulatory Summary


Donate Now to the BOMA Cal PAC

Locally

City, County and State government leaders are very familiar with BOMA and its members and rely on BOMA’s input regarding proposals under consideration. This can prove to be effective in many areas that impact your bottom line.