Government Affairs Committee: Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce

The Government Affairs Committee meeting focuses on reviewing potential impacts of new policies, legislation, and ordinances on our membership.

The agenda includes discussing these potential changes and voting on the Chamber's positions regarding upcoming proposals.

We will determine how to support or oppose these initiatives, guiding our advocacy efforts to protect our members' interests.

This meeting is crucial for shaping our policy engagement and response strategies.
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AGENDA | October 1st, 2026 | 4 PM
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The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) mission is to review, analyze, support or oppose issues, legislation, ordinances, and regulations that impact chamber member businesses. Requests to GAC, along with supporting documentation, must be made by a chamber member. All attending members in good standing have voting rights.

1. Elected officials / staff updates
   1. Alexandra Dildine (Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur)
   2. Nick Faries (Senator Ben Allen)
   3. Aurelia Friedman (Congressman Ted Lieu)
   4. Zac Gaidzik (Supervisor Lindsay Horvath)
   5. Josh Kurpies (City of Santa Monica)
   6. Skye Connors (Governor Newsom – State of California)
2. Agenda
   1. Request to join (Coalition for Modern Ports)
      1. From Swing Strat: California’s ports’ ability to remain competitive and efficient is critical. Generating 1 in 4 dollars of the state’s economy, our ports connect millions of workers, families, and communities to global markets that sustain the industries that define our state. To keep pace, California must continue modernizing and adopting new technologies at scale. Heavy-handed restrictive policies prevent that from happening. The ask is for the SM Chamber to join the coalition to help modernize the California Ports.
      2. Supporting documents and letters found HERE
   2. Request for Comment & Input: Last Paycheck Policy for City of Santa Monica (SM Chamber)
      1. The Chamber is asking its members to give input on a new policy that will effect nearly all businesses in Santa Monica. The policy creates legislated rules and guidelines on how a business must send the final paycheck for employees.
      2. Supporting documents and letters found HERE
   3. Option to Take Positions on Upcoming Ballot Measures
      1. Seeking Chamber input on whether the Chamber should take positions on upcoming ballot measures that may affect businesses and what those positions shall be.
      2. Current voter’s guide is HERE.
3. Adjourn  - next GAC is set for November 5th, 2026