CA ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS DELAYED TO JAN 2010

The Building Standards Commission (BSC) has approved a request by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to change the effective date for the new Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards to Jan. 1, 2010. The standards were originally set to take effect on Aug. 1. The CEC asked for a five-month delay because they have experienced delays in completing the public domain compliance software. Click here for the official notice.
 

BACKUP WITHHOLDING INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET

As part of the budget deal, “backup withholding” has been signed into law, and the effective date is January 1, 2010. Backup withholding is the requirement to withhold and remit to the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) 7% of payments to independent contractors for which there is an invalid taxpayer identification number. To the extent that this issue impacts your company and if you have questions, or concerns, please let us know. The CalChamber is working with the FTB on behalf of California’s employers to clarify implementation issues related to this provision.
 

2009 BUDGET REVISION BY THE NUMBERS

The Legislature passed amendments to the 2009-10 Budget Bill, along with implementing legislation which was signed by the Governor on July 28, 2009. After $489 million in General Fund appropriations vetoed (“blue-penciled”) by the Governor, the budget package projects $89.5 billion of revenues and transfers to the General Fund. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has the best summary of the budget actions. Click here to read it.
 

LEGISLATIVE “TAX” SESSION CALLED FOR SEPTEMBER

The Governor announced he will call a special session of the legislature in late September to consider recommendations by the “Commission on the 21st Century Economy” for overhauling the state's tax system. The Governor just extended, for a second time, the date at which the Commission is to deliver its recommendations to September 20. This is the fifth “special session” called by the Governor in the past year.
 

SPLIT ROLL PITCHED TO BOMA SF

San Francisco Assessor Phil Ting met with BOMA San Francisco PAC members in late July to discuss his push to modify Proposition 13 to create a split roll property tax . The group politely questioned the wisdom of increasing taxes on businesses during tough economic times instead of reducing the size of state government. Click here to read more about the discussion.
 

INDUSTRY MEETINGS UNDERWAY TO COMBAT SPLIT ROLL

Rex Hime is once again leading the charge against split roll and is now travelling the state to meet with commercial real estate executives to educate them about the threat and to raise money to fund the oncoming battle. Rex is a member of the Executive Committee for Californian’s Against Higher Property Taxes and a veteran of more than 25 years worth of defending Prop. 13.

The meetings are being jointly arranged by ICSC, NAIOP, BOMA California, and IREM, have already occurred in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Future meetings are scheduled for San Jose on August 6, Orange County on August 20, Sacramento on August 25 and San Diego on September 1. If you are interested in attending or if you would like to coordinate a meeting in your region, email Matthew Hargrove.

MANDATORY COMMERCIAL RECYCLING REGULATIONS

California is well on its way to adopting mandatory commercial recycling. The Legislature is in a race with the regulatory agencies to see who can come up with the mandate first. It is questionable whether or not the regulatory agencies actually have the authority to enact such a mandate, but regardless as a part of implementing the Mandatory Commercial Recycling measure outlined in the Climate Change Scoping Plan for the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), the CA Integrated Waste Management Board is soliciting stakeholder input on a range of issues and conceptual regulatory language related to topics such as thresholds, exemptions, implementation, enforcement and costs.

This will impact your business. You are encouraged to attend or provide us with feedback on the proposals:

August 6, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
South Coast Air Quality Management District
21865 E. Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, California

GREENHOUSE GAS CEQA GUIDELINES UNDERWAY

The Natural Resources Agency received recommended amendments to the CEQA Guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions from the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. Public hearings on the Proposed Guideline Amendments are scheduled for August 18, 2009 in Sacramento and on August 20, 2009 in Los Angeles. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00pm on August 20, 2009. Click here for more information on how to participate.
 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE PROGRAM

On Tuesday, August 4, you are invited to learn about the current status of recent plans to locate an NFL team in the Los Angeles area and the huge investment in real estate needed to make this a reality. The Southern California Alliance Program, hosted by ICSC, will be discussing the intricacies of bringing an NFL football team back to the Los Angeles area, as well as the planning, design and development of a state of the art football/commercial/entertainment/retail destination complex. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, from 11:00am – 2:00pm at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort in The City of Industry. Click here for more information.

NORCAL CITY MANAGERS LUNCHEON

On Thursday, October 29, NAIOP is co-sponsoring the City Managers Luncheon with Lambda Alpha International at the Dante Club in Sacramento. Eight City Managers are currently scheduled to appear and more are expected. This event will be moderated by our own Rex Hime. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to see the flyer for more information.
 

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2009 CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2009

November 5—
BOMA CA BOARD MEETING & ELECTION OF 2010 OFFICERS
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 November 5-6—
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE STRATEGIC ISSUES CONFERENCE
Meritage Hotel, Napa, CA