Advocacy

BOMA SAN DIEGO GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 
In order to best serve its 300 member companies and thousands of employees, BOMA San Diego works tirelessly to be a formidable force in policy debates, promoting and protecting the commercial real estate industry and our members. Every year, the California State Legislature introduces more than 2,000 new laws, and roughly 1/4 of those bills directly impact the commercial real estate industry.  These bills, in addition to locally proposed municipal code changes related to taxation, water, energy and land use can have significant impacts on commercial real estate’s ability to thrive. BOMA San Diego’s Government Affairs Committee promotes the interests of the commercial real estate industry through legislative analysis, advocacy and member education. 
 
The BOMA San Diego Government Affairs Committee typically meets on the third Monday of the month at noon. We routinely invite public officials to present to the GAC on issues of interest.  While typically there is no such thing as a free lunch, lunch is provided to our members for no charge, so, if you're interested in the impact of government actions, both positive and negative on the commercial real estate industry, we invite you to join us. 


BOMA SAN DIEGO PUBLIC OFFICIAL MEET AND GREETS

As part of an ongoing effort to build relationships with key public officials, BOMA hosts informal breakfasts in order to share information and talk about issues facing the commercial real estate community in a small group, intimate setting. 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 interest. Due to the popularity of these events and to maintain an intimate dialogue, attendance is limited, with a focus on our active Government Affairs Committee members.  If you are interested in getting more involved with BOMA's Government Affairs Committee and participate in opportunities like these, please call the BOMA San Diego office to get more information.
 

PUBLIC OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

The BOMA San Diego Public Official of the Year award is presented to those who work diligently to enhance the commercial real estate industry in the San Diego region. The BOMA San Diego Government Affairs Committee typically selects every year a public official who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership on issues that are critical to the commercial real estate industry.  Past recipients include: State Senator Dede Alpert, Assemblyman Juan Vargas, SD City Councilman Jim Madaffer; County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, former Fire Chief Augie Ghio, Congressman Darrell Issa, former Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Greg Smith, Councilman Tony Young, Mayor Jerry Sander, former CCDC Chair Fred Maas, Councilman Ben Hueso, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and Councilman Todd Gloria, County of San Diego Chief Operating Officer Walt Ekard, and Halla Razak, Director of Public Utilities City of San Diego, among others.  The award is usually conferred during the first or second BOMA San Diego monthly lunch meeting.
 

FEES, TAXES, WATER REGULATIONS, ENERGY REDUCTION MANDATES

These issues, and dozens more, are discussed every day at the federal, state and local level, and they all impact your business. BOMA San Diego’s advocacy program is designed to constantly track these discussions and advocate on your behalf to protect the commercial real estate industry.

Led by the BOMA San Diego Government Affairs Committee and Legislative Advocates Craig Benedetto and Julianna Chick from California Strategies, LLC, 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 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 industry in the city and 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.

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.  Policies that could potentially impact or benefit BOMA's members are of particular focus, and include: energy and sustainability practices, climate action mandates, regulatory reform, land use processing, redevelopment agency operations, waste, water, outsourcing, affordable housing, homeless services, fees, taxes, job creation, growth and retention.

For more information about pending legislation, please contact BOMA San Diego's Legislative Advocate Craig Benedetto at (619) 546-7451.