What We Do
Energy Issues. Regulatory Changes. New Technologies. Labor Negotiations.
There are hundreds of bills that will affect the commercial real estate industry this year... how do you keep up with fast breaking industry developments?
The answer is simple and right at your fingertips. BOMA San Diego's advocacy program does it for you. The program is designed to keep members up-to-date on federal, state and local legislative measures affecting the commercial real estate industry. Led by the BOMA San Diego Government Affairs Committee and Legislative Advocate Craig Benedetto from California Strategies, LLC, with assistance from Chemistry, the advocacy program primarily works on a local level to represent BOMA San Diego members by maintaining an active communications program targeted to key government agencies. Lobbying activities are conducted at the state level by the BOMA California (BOMA CAL) Legislative Team and at the federal level by BOMA's parent organization, BOMA International, based in Washington D.C.
BOMA San Diego Government Affairs
As part of an effort to build relationships with key public officials, BOMA hosts informal breakfasts at the University Club in downtown San Diego. These breakfasts are an opportunity for BOMA Government Affairs committee members to interact with local decision makers and to hear more about their work in San Diego. There are no set topics for the breakfast, and committee members are welcome to ask questions about any topics of concern. Due to the popularity of these events and to maintain an intimate dialogue, attendance is limited and interested members should call the BOMA San Diego office to get more information on reservations.
Past BOMA Breakfast guests include City of San Diego Council members Carl DeMaio, Todd Gloria, and Marti Emerald, County of San Diego Assessor David Butler, City of San Diego Fire Chief Javier Mainar, and County of San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore.
BOMA San Diego 2010 Legislative Priorities and Key Issues
BOMA San Diego has established itself, and is well known in the local business community, as a legislative force representing the commercial real estate in the City, the County of San Diego and nationwide through partnerships with BOMA CAL, BOMA International and a number of other national real estate organizations. Each year, BOMA's Government Affairs Committee releases its legislative priorities and recommendations for action. To view these priorities, please click here.
Over the last year, BOMA San Diego had some important policy victories, but battles continue to wage as new ones rise for the upcoming year. Polices that could potentially delegate considerable burden to BOMA members are of particular focus: energy and sustainability practices, redevelopment agency operations, waste, water, fees, taxes, job creation, growth and retention.
For more information about pending legislation, please contact BOMA San Diego's 2010 Government Affairs committee chair Mike Hansen of CBRE at mike.hansen@cbre.com or Legislative Advocate Craig Benedetto at (619) 546-7451.
About BOMA CAL Advocacy Efforts
BOMA CAL is all about advocacy for the commercial real estate industry, whether before board of supervisors, the California State Legislature, state agencies like the State Fire Marshal's office or the Public Utilities Commission, or the U.S. Congress. Two thousand seven hundred sixty (2,760) separate pieces of legislation have been introduced in the California State Legislature to kick-off the 2009-2010 Session and so far, more than 500 bills have been identified which directly impact the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate industry. 90 of these bills have been tagged as having an impact on BOMA members. BOMA CAL monitors these issues and legislation for all chapters in California, and provides policy updates and education for all members. The BOMA CAL Board of Directors also meets on a regular basis to review upcoming issues. Members interested in attending a BOMA CAL meeting or the annual California Commercial Real Estate Summit should visit www.bomacal.org for more information.
About BOMA International Advocacy Efforts
Last year, BOMA International helped pave the way for important legislation on many issues, such as the terrorism risk insurance program, onerous mandatory energy efficiency targets, and amongst others, tax increases on carried interest while securing BOMA supported building codes in key jurisdiction. This year, BOMA international continues to advocate issues crucial to BOMA members, including: the federalization of building codes, greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy efficiency tax incentives, water-use efficiency incentives, constrained commercial credit, carried interest, capital gains tax, leasehold depreciation and others. A list of federal issues can be found here. For additional information on BOMA International advocacy and to view BOMA's advocacy publications and code updates, please visit www.boma.org/advocacy.
BOMA members may get involved and influence government at the national level by working with your local chapter.
