Advocacy & Legislative Priorities

We Make Sure Alameda Businesses Have A Voice

At the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance, we’re not just here to support business—we’re here to speak up for it.

Whether it’s a new regulation coming down the pipeline, a zoning change that could impact your operations, or a proposal at City Council, we keep a close eye on proposed and existing policies and regulations to make sure that your perspective as a business owner, manager, or leader is part of the conversation.

Our goal is simple: to create a strong, supportive environment where Alameda businesses can grow and thrive.

How We Advocate for You & Your Business

When we say advocacy, we are referring to the hands-on work that the Chamber engages in to support our business community every day.

You have a business to run. You don’t have time to research legislation or policy changes and show up to speak up on the issues that could impact your business. That’s where we come in. We represent the voice of Alameda business at every level of government including:

Getting involved in planning and zoning decisions that impact the future of Alameda.
Showing up to City Council meetings and speaking on behalf of our members when issues that could impact business are on the table.
Supporting initiatives that help businesses grow—and pushing back on those that don’t.
Regularly polling our members and gather input so that we’re truly representing your voice at the local, state, and federal level.

You keep an eye on your business. We’ll keep an eye on and act on government issues that could impact your business.

2024-2025 Legislative Priorities

Each year, our Government Affairs & Public Policy Committee (GAPP) takes the lead on setting our legislative priorities. Once they’ve done the groundwork, the Chamber Board reviews and approves them.

These priorities guide the work we do specifically at the legislative level—helping us stay focused on the issues most likely to come up in the year ahead.

When setting these priorities, the Committee looks at a wide range of inputs: what other business advocacy groups are saying, what our members are concerned about, and which topics are expected to be hot-button issues at the Capitol. Most importantly, they ask: Where can our advocacy make the biggest difference for Alameda businesses? That’s where we put our energy.

These are our areas of focus this year:

Economic Resilience & 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 & 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 & Economic Development

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 & 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.

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, if you would like to add your individual voice to an issue, you can contact our elected officials in the following ways: