Advocacy & Legislative Priorities

Advocacy Efforts

At the Chamber, we advocate for the needs of business and ensure that the voice of business is heard.

We do this through:

getting involved in planning and zoning for the growth of the community
speaking on behalf of our members at City Council meetings in respect to pro-business issues
supporting pro-business initiatives (or working to defeat those that are not in the best interest of business)
polling members on their needs so that we may ensure their voice is heard on the local, state, and federal levels

Learn more about the Chamber’s Advocacy Process.

The Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance's Legislative Priorities for 2023

The Chamber is focused on driving an aggressive, pro-growth, and principled policy agenda that advances economic development and improves the business climate of the Bay Area for businesses of all sizes and industries. We work with all levels of government, member companies, partners, and stakeholders to ensure Alameda is one of the best places to live, work, and grow a business. Bills and legislative initiatives supporting the following topics are of interest to the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance:

Economic Resiliency and Recovery

The Chamber supports policies and legislation that will help struggling businesses and point the California economy toward growth and recovery in a competitive fashion. It will oppose anything that limits business recovery and the encouragement of economic resiliency.

Employment, Talent and Workforce Development

The Chamber supports employment policies that make California and the Bay Area more competitive. It opposes policies that impose burdens on employers and would (potentially) make Alameda a less attractive area for growth, investment, and job creation. These things may include:

Ensuring workers have the skills to meet demands of the employment sector
Removing barriers to job creation and hiring
Encouraging diversity of opportunities in business

Tourism and Economic Development/Growth

The Chamber supports policies and legislation that drive inclusive economic growth and development in California and the Bay Area.

Locally, we are supporting Site A and its development.

Housing / Homelessness

The Chamber supports legislation and policies that help provide greater access to housing. These may include bills that address:

Housing supply – availability, affordability, and production
Homelessness

Clean Environmental Policies and Responsible Approach to Climate Change

The Chamber supports energy and environmental policies that result in clean, affordable, and reliable energy consumption by businesses.

Other legislative issues will be addressed as time and resources permit. These may include regulatory and industry policies that drive innovation and technology, a diversified economy, and ensure competitive marketplaces for members.

What Are Legislative Priorities?

Legislative priorities are set each year by the Economic & Government Affairs Committee (EGA) and approved by the Chamber Board. These priorities apply only to the advocacy work done in the legislature.

In addition, the legislative priorities are set by the Committee’s interpretation of what will likely be topical issues in the legislature.

The Committee considers many issues, positions of other business advocacy groups, concerns of members, and stakeholders suggesting Legislative Priorities. In setting priorities, the Committee also considers several factors, the most important of which is focusing Chamber advocacy efforts where they can have the greatest impact for the business community.

Legislative Watch List

Our Legislative Watch List mirrors that of the California Chamber of Commerce currently by supporting these pro-business bills.

Government and Civic Contacts

While we represent a united voice of business for the Alameda area, when members want to add their individual voices to the issues, they can contact their elected officials in the following ways: