Brea Chamber of Commerce, Catalyst. Convener. Champion.
Government Affairs

The Legislative Platform of the Brea Chamber.

Public policy positions adopted by our Board of Directors to guide advocacy on behalf of the Brea business community.

Brea Chamber of Commerce
Overview

Government Affairs Committee

The Brea Chamber of Commerce is committed to the successful growth of business in the community. The Chamber promotes growth by aiding a government culture that opposes business-killing regulations, actively opposing legislative measures that would negatively impact member businesses, and supporting legislation that fosters business expansion and economic growth.

Committee Goal

To persistently promote the interest of the Brea business community while keeping elected representatives at the local, state, and federal level well informed of applicable business concerns.

Committee Activities

  • Brea Chamber Government Affairs Committee monthly meeting (Dark in August & December)
  • Build a positive and respectful relationship with elected officials on an ongoing basis
  • Represent the business community and advocate on their behalf
  • Host the Brea Candidates Forum for City Council and School Board candidates

Public Policy Positions

The Board of Directors has adopted the following public policy positions on business issues affecting Chamber members. These policies serve as a guideline for the CEO when reviewing local development projects, determine Chamber response to ongoing and future projects, and inform elected representatives of the priorities and concerns of Brea Chamber members.

Active Legislation

Legislative Tracking

The Brea Chamber fights for your business. We are actively engaged at every level of government — local, regional, state, and federal — and are the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and advancing the interests of Brea's business community every single day.

We serve as your eyes, ears, and voice in the halls of government. We champion business-friendly policy and push back against measures that would harm employers, jobs, and economic vitality. Even if you never attend a Chamber event, your membership investment is working for you around the clock through our Government Affairs Program. To inquire about serving on the committee, contact Tanya Huynh at the Brea Chamber office.

Legend: Support Oppose Monitoring

City of Brea

1 item
Costco in Brea
Monitoring
Dwight Manley · 12/16/25

50-year tax rebate with Dwight Manley if he executes a lease with Costco within a year to the former Beckman Coulter Campus.

StatusPasses Finance Committee. City Council agrees to Economic Agreement — monitoring status to Planning Commission.

Ayes: Hupp, Vargas, Simonoff · Noes: Marick · Absent: Stewart

California Assembly

4 items
AB 1576
Monitoring
Ortega · 2/24/26

Workers' compensation, subsequent injuries payments. Tightens eligibility and oversight for extra benefits when workers with prior disabilities suffer a new injury; shifts trust fund administration to the Department of Industrial Relations.

StatusSigned onto another letter supporting administration's proposed budget trailer language. Support with changes. In Assembly Insurance Committee.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

AB 1898
Oppose
Schulz · 3/11/26

Workplace artificial intelligence tools. Requires employers to notify workers and disclose details before using AI tools that affect employment decisions or monitor activity; establishes enforcement and penalties.

StatusSigned onto CalChamber letter opposing bill. In Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

AB 1313
Oppose
Papan · 2/2/26

Water quality permits. Would have required a new statewide stormwater discharge permit under NPDES for commercial, industrial, and institutional properties of 5+ acres.

StatusBill placed on Assembly's inactive file — will not move forward.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

AB 1243
Oppose
Addis · 2/2/26

Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025. Would have assessed the largest historical fossil fuel polluters (1990–2024) to fund a Climate Superfund for mitigation, adaptation, and harm recovery.

StatusDied in Committee — will not move forward.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

California State Senate

6 items
SB 555
Monitoring
Caballero / Laird · 1/27/26

Workers' compensation: average annual earnings. Updates how average weekly earnings are calculated; adds annual cost-of-living adjustments for permanent partial disability starting 2026 with new 2027 limits.

StatusCurrently in CA Assembly.

Archuleta: Yea · Chen: N/A

SB 799
Oppose
Allen · 1/26/26

Joint powers authorities: South Bay Regional Housing Trust. Original bill would have allowed private whistleblowers to sue companies for tax fraud under the California False Claims Act.

StatusSigned coalition letter (CJAC, CalTax, CalChamber) opposing initial bill. Amended into housing trust bill — currently in CA Assembly.

Archuleta: Yea · Chen: N/A

SB 872
Support
McNerney · 3/3/26

Climate change: funding priorities. Uses climate funding to support repairs and improvements to levees, canals, and key water sources — particularly the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and State Water Project.

StatusSet for hearing March 18.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

SB 1123
Oppose
Wiener · 3/18/26

Administrative Procedure Act: major regulations. Weakens California's major-regulation review process by allowing agencies to offset economic costs with claimed 'public benefits.'

StatusSigned onto CalChamber opposition letter. Referred to Committee on Governmental Organization.

Archuleta: N/A · Chen: N/A

SB 310
Oppose
Wiener · 2/2/26

Failure to pay wages, penalties. Strengthens penalties for failure to pay wages and clarifies how penalties can be recovered.

StatusNot moved forward — 2-year bill died.

Chen: N/A · Archuleta: N/A

SB 789
Oppose
Menjivar · 2/2/26

Taxation: information returns: vacant commercial real property. Would have required annual vacancy reporting to support a potential vacancy tax for the California Dream for All Program.

StatusDied in Committee — will not move forward.

Chen: N/A · Archuleta: N/A

Federal Legislation

2 items
Permitting Reform Coalition Letter
Support
U.S. Chamber · 2/22/26

Urges the U.S. Senate to pass bipartisan comprehensive permitting reform — modernizing federal permitting to reduce delays, lower costs, and enable faster investment in broadband, energy, transportation, and water systems.

StatusLetter sent to United States Senate.

H.R. 1163: Prove It Act of 2025
Support
Rep. Brad Finstad · 3/18/26

Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require federal agencies to analyze and disclose foreseeable indirect costs of proposed regulations on small businesses, and allows small entities to petition the SBA for review.

StatusSigned onto U.S. Chamber of Commerce coalition letter in support. Introduced in House of Representatives.

2025 – 2026 Scorecard

Legislative Report Card

A transparent look at outcomes on the bills, ordinances, and federal actions where the Brea Chamber took a position on behalf of our members.

4
Wins
4
Active
0
Losses
IssueLevelPositionOutcome
AB 1313 — Statewide NPDES Stormwater Permit
Coalition opposition kept costly new stormwater permitting off commercial and industrial properties 5+ acres. Bill placed on inactive file.
State OpposeWin
AB 1243 — Climate Superfund Act
Joined statewide opposition; bill died in committee, avoiding retroactive assessments on California employers.
State OpposeWin
SB 310 — Wage Penalty Expansion
Two-year bill expired, preserving balanced wage-and-hour enforcement framework for employers.
State OpposeWin
SB 789 — Vacant Commercial Property Tax Reporting
Defeated in committee; commercial property owners avoid new annual vacancy reporting and potential vacancy tax.
State OpposeWin
Costco at former Beckman Coulter Campus
Cleared Finance Committee with City Council Economic Agreement; Chamber monitoring through Planning Commission.
Local SupportActive
AB 1898 — Workplace AI Disclosure & Liability
On CalChamber opposition; currently in Assembly Judiciary Committee.
State OpposeActive
SB 1123 — Major Regulation Cost-Benefit Loophole
Coalition opposition active; referred to Senate Governmental Organization.
State OpposeActive
H.R. 1163 — Prove It Act
Joined U.S. Chamber coalition. Small business cost transparency advancing in House.
Federal SupportActive
Regional Convening

The Regional Housing Forum

Under the leadership of President and CEO Lacy Schoen, the Brea Chamber of Commerce convened the Regional Housing Forum to inform and equip its members, the broader business community, and local residents with essential facts about regional planning and housing development critical to a strong and sustainable future.

As California and Orange County confront a historic housing crisis, the timing of this Forum could not be more urgent. Residents of all ages are leaving the state in search of more attainable living options. Employers struggle to attract and retain talent as workers endure daily commutes of two to three hours because housing near job centers is simply out of reach. Many lower-wage workers and their families are forced to double or triple up in small homes, while far too many individuals experience homelessness on our streets every day.

The causes of this crisis are complex. They include restrictive state regulations and, critically, the misuse of state housing laws by special interests and activists who stoke fear and opposition to needed housing. Too often, residents are inundated with misinformation about individual projects, housing development in general, or perceived community impacts, making thoughtful, fact-based dialogue difficult.

The reality is clear. More housing is urgently needed, across a range of sizes, styles, and price points. Adequate housing is essential not only to meet the needs of current and future residents — including those being born here today — but also to sustain a strong economy, preserve community vitality, support public safety, and ensure long-term regional prosperity.

The Forum's expert panel brings exceptional depth in regional planning, housing policy, and economic development. Panelists provide critical context on the drivers of the housing crisis and outline proven, practical solutions grounded in data, policy, and real-world outcomes.

Facilitator & Panelists

AW
Adam Wood
Vice President, Orange County Operations
Building Industry Association of Southern California
JB
Jeff Ball
President & CEO
Orange County Business Council
JG
Jon Gould
Dean, School of Social Ecology
University of California, Irvine
KC
Kendra Chandler
Executive Director
Urban Land Institute Orange County / Inland Empire
KS
Kenneth Stahl
Professor & Director, Environmental, Land Use & Real Estate Law
Chapman University Fowler School of Law
Adopted by the Board · 2026

Legislative Platform 2026

01

Business and Economic Development

Objective

Business expansion and retention within the City of Brea is critical to a strong local economy. The Chamber promotes a positive environment for business and economic development through comprehensive infrastructure, a pro-business local government culture, a qualified workforce, and sufficient residential housing to meet employer needs.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Economic development and internship programs within educational institutions and community-based organizations to produce a more qualified workforce.
  • Fiscal reform at the state and local level to provide a more reliable, long-term source of funding for local services.
  • A regulatory climate that enables businesses to succeed while balancing environmental and consumer needs.
  • Partnerships between schools and businesses to ensure a skilled workforce is available.
  • Development and maintenance of infrastructure systems that encourage economic development.
  • Development projects providing a stable workforce and steady customer base.
  • Small business access to technical assistance and to capital.
  • Public policies that closely link taxes, fees, and assessments to the services provided.
02

Education and Workforce Development

Objective

An educated, skilled workforce with strong work ethics is the foundation of a competitive economy. Sound communication coupled with pertinent skills in science, math, and technology (STEM) is imperative for Brea's economic health.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Cooperation among businesses, schools, parents, and community organizations linked to employer and labor market needs.
  • Adequate funding for vocational (ROP), technical, and adult education aligned to local employment needs.
  • Effective public/private school-based partnerships with area businesses providing internships and workplace learning.
  • A public education system meeting strong academic standards in STEM, communication, and English language aptitude (with multilingual proficiency).
  • Locally-determined priorities and implementation strategies for state academic standards.
  • Collaboration among adult education, community colleges, and universities to develop training programs linked to employer needs.
  • Improved fiscal transparency and effectiveness.
  • Full disclosure of the costs of education to hold school districts accountable for tax payer funds.
03

Energy

Objective

Ensure the availability of reliable, stable, and competitively-priced energy supplies in order to retain and attract businesses to Brea.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Comprehensive, coordinated national and state energy policies ensuring adequate supplies and reasonable pricing.
  • Federal and state regulatory efforts to remedy generation supply shortfalls through expedited site and permitting procedures.
  • Research and development in fuel technology and alternative fuels supporting California's energy mix.
  • Efficient and equitable means of upgrading and expanding energy infrastructure.
  • Transmission infrastructure to transport affordable, renewable resources across the grid.
  • New electric generation paired with Emission Reduction Credits and offsets within the South Coast AQMD region.
  • Construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification facilities to address natural gas supply needs.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Government attempts to enter public service enterprises currently served by the private sector without compelling public interest.
  • Uneconomic bypass of California PUC-regulated utility systems by federally regulated systems.
  • Local government efforts to generate revenues through utility-related costs that raise costs to residents and businesses.
04

Environmental Regulation

Objective

The Chamber recognizes environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive and supports a balance between regulation and economic security, without sacrificing prosperity to excessive, conflicting, or overlapping requirements.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Regulations based on sound science to evaluate health, environmental, and economic risks.
  • Consistency and coordination in CEQA and other environmental review processes.
  • Environmental justice policies that weigh effects against economic opportunity for affected populations.
  • Urban runoff and ocean water quality strategies that include thorough source assessments and regional, watershed-based solutions.
  • Evaluation of regulatory impacts on housing supply, infrastructure, and the economy.
  • Inclusive, participatory processes leading to consensus-based rulemaking.
  • Streamlining the regulatory process to eliminate unnecessary duplications.
  • Cost-effective emissions reduction strategies and market incentives such as tradable emissions credits and clean-vehicle tax incentives.
  • Statutory and regulatory flexibility for meeting air quality standards.
05

Government Reform

Objective

Californians should be able to rely on long-term, stable, reliable, and equitable funding for essential public services. With more than 200 public agencies in Orange County, greater efficiency and accountability without increased fees or taxes is essential.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Services provided at the level of government closest to the people, with funds most closely related to those services.
  • Elimination of unfunded state mandates.
  • Equitable distribution of sales and property taxes to protect infrastructure, public safety, and human resources investments.
  • Effective, research- and market-based pension reforms.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Wasteful government spending.
  • Raids on local government funding.
06

Healthcare

Objective

The Chamber promotes public-private partnerships to expand affordable health care coverage, maximizing free market options and minimizing government mandates upon employers, insurers, and providers.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Preservation of the voluntary, employer-provided health coverage system; opposition to mandates upon employer coverage.
  • Competition in the healthcare market and among private-sector providers.
  • Federal and state income tax deductions for individuals who self-procure health care coverage.
  • Tax incentives for employers who provide health coverage.
  • Fair competition between physicians, hospitals, and health plans.
  • Streamlined administrative health care operations to reduce cost.
  • Individual responsibility, preventive health care, healthy lifestyle, and education.
  • State and local fiscal reforms addressing property tax distribution inequities.
  • Creation of non-government medical savings account programs.
  • Workforce initiatives directing funds toward nurses and other needed health professionals.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Mandates upon employers to procure health care coverage for employees.
  • Mandatory government-imposed staffing ratios.
  • Mandates imposing hospitals and individual providers to administer services at government-imposed rates.
07

Housing and Land Use

Objective

The Chamber supports policies facilitating a full range of housing options to accommodate Brea's population and economic growth, and supports development providing the housing supply needed to meet employer workforce needs.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Legislation and policies that promote a sensible jobs/housing balance.
  • State and local fiscal reform permitting cities to make land use decisions based on planning principals rather than tax revenue.
  • Diverse housing ownership opportunities such as condominiums and townhomes.
  • Residential developments emphasizing alternative forms of transportation.
  • Regional planning and shared local government responsibility for housing needs.
  • Financial assistance to local governments, redevelopment, and nonprofit housing organizations.
  • Private/public partnerships for affordable, transitional, and emergency housing.
  • Creative housing and business redevelopment approaches complementary to existing neighborhoods.
  • Time limits on redevelopment funds and a statewide affordable housing fund.
  • Collaborative land use decision-making encouraging business community involvement.
  • Fair, economically sensible zoning policies based on accurate housing needs projections.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Disproportionate taxes, fees, and assessments on new home construction for community-wide infrastructure not directly part of the development.
  • Legislative and regulatory barriers to home construction needed to meet employment needs.
  • Forms of rent control that reduce affordable housing.
  • Urban limit lines, moratoriums, or measures stifling housing creation.
  • Unfair application of zoning laws.
  • State and local adoption of inclusionary zoning.
  • Ballot-box land use planning that contradicts good planning or constrains housing supply.
08

Immigration

Objective

The Chamber supports smart immigration policy reforms so the U.S. can boost economic growth, create jobs, and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Background

  • Per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Oct 2021), the pandemic drove more than 3 million adults into early retirement.
  • Adults 55+ detached from the labor force due to retirement grew from 48.1% (Q3 2019) to 50.3% (Q3 2021).
  • An aging U.S. population is not being refilled by younger generations or immigrant labor.
  • Female labor force participation is at its lowest rate since the 1970s, 617,000 fewer female workers vs. February 2020.
  • Outdated immigration laws create case-by-case backlogs that encourage illegal entry; no major reform since the 1990s.
  • Studies suggest removing all undocumented immigrants would cause a population and economic collapse taking decades to recover.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Comprehensive legislation providing well-funded border security, staff, technology such as drones, and substantial barriers.
  • Adequate funding and a clearer definition of asylum.
  • Permanent legal residency for undocumented residents who meet qualifications (long-tenure employment with taxes paid and a clean record; long-term residency with a tax-paying spouse or children in public schools).
  • U.S. cooperation with neighboring countries to deter U.S.-bound migration and address root causes.
  • Legislation addressing changing immigrant demographics, including unaccompanied children.
  • Funding for stable foster care environments with screening and post-placement follow-up.
  • Legal counsel ensuring immigrant children's rights and exploring reunification, asylum, or residency options.
  • Funding for immigrant children's access to quality education and health care.
  • Legislation that hastens documentation, legal work authorization, and permanent residency.
  • Reforming the H-1B Visa program to end exploitation of foreign employees and the deterrence of hiring American workers.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Open borders, due to concerns about crime rates and public safety.
  • Abuse of the asylum system based on broad difficulties rather than valid asylum criteria.
  • Mass deportations or blanket amnesty.
09

Privatization and Governmental Outsourcing

Objective

The Chamber promotes policies that maintain a competitive business environment. For local business to compete globally, the high cost of doing business in California must be reduced.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Government outsourcing of work readily performed by the private sector.
  • Performance incentives in the RFB/RFP process to reward service excellence and timelines.
  • Annual or bi-annual government performance audits identifying additional outsourcing opportunities.
  • Local control over state control on local issues.
  • Preferences to local business when outsourcing for goods and services.
  • Consideration of long-term costs of government sector work, including pensions.
10

Taxation, Fees, and Assessments

Objective

The Chamber supports a taxation policy that is simplified and fair. Businesses already pay adequate taxes; additional increments will detrimentally affect commerce and impede growth.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Balanced local, state, and federal budgets.
  • Fiscal reform enabling long-term, stable funding for essential services and infrastructure.
  • Elimination of unfunded state mandates; equitable redistribution of sales and property taxes.
  • Lower tax rates and new tax credits for new and small businesses.
  • A permanent reduction on capital gains taxes.
  • A 100% deduction of business expenses, including self-employed health insurance premiums.
  • Reducing Orange County's status as a "donor" county and California's as a "donor" state.
  • Elimination of taxes that put OC or California at a competitive disadvantage.
  • Elimination of the "death tax."
  • Maintaining the two-thirds legislative vote to enact the state budget.
  • Alignment of public employee retirement and disability benefits with the private sector.
  • Defining fees and surcharges as taxes when the legislature considers the 2/3 majority requirement.
  • Maintenance and protection of Proposition 13.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Wasteful government spending.
  • Split roll taxes and taxes on services.
11

Telecommunications

Objective

The delivery of advanced data services is important to Brea's economy. The Chamber believes private-sector innovation and investment are key to meeting these needs.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Complete implementation of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 to fully open competitive markets.
  • Legislation protecting consumer right to choose telecommunication products/services with access to businesses and buildings.
  • Limiting municipal right-of-way fees to reimbursement of the City's actual administrative costs.
  • Legislation eliminating unnecessary and unfair taxes and fees to enable level competition.
  • Streamlining of local permitting requirements for advanced broadband network infrastructure.

The Brea Chamber Opposes

  • Municipal "third tier" regulation that slows infrastructure rollout and increases consumer costs.
  • City-owned utilities offering telecommunications services.
  • Undue regulation by industry boards such as the CPUC and the FCC.
12

Litigation Reform

Objective

Litigation reform is needed to halt the crippling effects of unwarranted, excessive, and frivolous lawsuits on businesses, consumers, and taxpayers.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Reforms to discourage frivolous lawsuits, including the prevailing party recovering litigation expenses when actions lack merit.
  • Prompt and cost-effective dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration.
  • Preservation of reforms enacted through California's Unfair Practice Act.
  • Disallowance of civil damages when injury occurs during the commission of a felony by the plaintiff.
  • Uniform standard for product liability cases and a cap on punitive damages.
  • Cap on attorney fees in contingency cases, including class actions.
  • Repeal of the Corporate Criminal Liability Act of 1990 regarding accidents from concealed hazards.
  • Curtailment of abuses and streamlining of the "discovery" process.
  • Elimination of "front pay" and reasonable limits on non-economic damages in employment cases.
  • Permitting juries to know of "collateral source" compensation to prevent double recovery.
  • Tort reform limiting frivolous lawsuits and recoveries for non-economic losses and attorney fees.
  • Laws ensuring consumers are informed of rights and options when hiring contingency fee attorneys.
13

Transportation

Objective

A well-maintained community infrastructure supporting economic expansion and the efficient movement of people, goods, and services is essential for Brea's wellbeing.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Restoration of general-fund taxes to local transportation agencies diverted to State Highway accounts.
  • Long-term, consistent funding sources equitably distributed across transit improvement, maintenance, safety, and capacity.
  • Private sector participation in planning and investment in transportation infrastructure.
  • An integrated transportation network meeting business and residential needs.
  • Better coordination between local, state, and federal permitting agencies on environmental reviews.
  • Expanded design-build and public-private authority for infrastructure investments.
14

Water and Wastewater Management

Objective

A clean, adequate, reliable, and affordable water supply is crucial for California's economy and for Brea.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Cost-effective solutions for water reliability and independence, transfers, conservation, and reclamation.
  • Completion of the Santa Ana River Mainstream Project.
  • Cooperation among water agencies for efficient water management techniques.
  • Waste management strategies that reduce landfill and ocean waste.
  • Environmental regulations allowing proper maintenance of water resources and facilities.
  • Legislation incentivizing a reliable water supply for Southern California and Brea.
  • Policies advancing greater water independence from northern California and the Colorado River.
  • Legislation and projects providing flood control protection to Brea residents and businesses.
  • Cost-effective and science-based drinking water regulatory standards.
15

Workers' Compensation Reform

Objective

The Chamber supports a fair, fact-based workers' compensation system that keeps employer costs to a minimum while offering proportionate benefits to legitimately injured workers.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • Options for employers to combine employee health care coverage with workers' compensation medical coverage.
  • Elimination of financial incentives for claimants to seek legal representation.
  • Elimination of fraud, reduced litigation, and consistent eligibility determination.
  • Classification of injuries with limits on time off work, rest, and treatment.
  • Streamlined administration of disability determination, benefits, and return-to-work decisions.
  • Tort reform to prevent abuse of the system.
  • Timely processing and reporting of claims.
16

Workplace Issues

Objective

The Chamber supports cost-effective reforms that build a strong workforce while maintaining a safe workplace in compliance with regulations, enabling businesses to compete locally, nationally, and globally.

The Brea Chamber Supports

  • State conformity with federal law on overtime and alternative work schedule flexibility.
  • Efforts to keep California from exceeding federal laws on minimum wage, employee classification, FMLA, and EEO.
  • Realistic, scientifically based policies on ergonomics, environmental exposures, and workplace issues.
  • Continuing reforms to eliminate fraudulent and frivolous lawsuits against employers.
  • Simplified independent contractor rules and elimination of financial penalties for good-faith misclassifications.
  • Decrease in health care costs and employer liability.
  • Employer/employee Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) agreements.