2019 was defined by labor and the environment. The California legislature and Governor Newsom signaled a strong shift in favor of organized labor when it rewrote the state’s labor laws. Coalitions, including CHLA’s, fought to restrict the impact of Assembly Bill 5. While CHLA and the Legislature fought over how to categorize workers, CHLA was also engages with the executive branch to reduce the burdens played on employers by Cal/OSHA. The support for organized labor is not limited to the legislature or executive agonies, as many local jurisdictions have put measures to the voters that severely impact lodging establishments’ ability to function.

Legislators opened 2019 with legislation aimed at further restricting business’ ability to collect and use data. The California Consumer Privacy Act took effect January 1^st with some alterations to allow businesses to use more types of data than would otherwise be permitted.

Both the legislature and local governments were tired of Short-Term Rentals (STR). In 2019, CHLA worked directly with legislators and council members to introduce and move legislation that would force STR companies to limit the permitting of STRs in specific regions. If implemented, this legislation has the potential to be expanded across the state in future legislative years.

2019 Legislative Session by the Numbers

792 measures were introduced in the Senate

1,833 measures were introduced in the Assembly

1,042 bills advanced to the Governor’s desk

870 billed were signed by Governor Newsom

172 bills vetoed, for a veto rate of 16.5%

 

Source: California Hotel & Lodging Industry Advocacy Summary 2019