The 2025 California Legislative Session is in full swing and CAMEO Network is in the thick of it. Heidi Pickman, our VP of Engagement and External Relations, traveled to Sacramento this week to testify in the Senate Banking Committee in support of SB 362, one of the two responsible small business lending bills CAMEO Network is sponsoring this year alongside the Responsible Business Lending Coalition and Small Business Majority. We are happy to report that the bill passed the committee with 100% bipartisan support!
SB 362, authored by Sen. Tim Grayson, continues California’s leadership by tightening up the state’s legal framework that allows some brokers and financing companies to take advantage of small businesses. Please sign our letter of support for SB 362 if you haven’t yet!
Next week, Heidi heads to Senate Banking yet again, this time to testify in support of SB 728. This bill, authored by Sen. Steve Padilla, empowers small businesses to make informed decisions in work with brokers and report bad actors, by establishing a licensing framework and transparency about the broker’s offerings. Please sign our letter of support for SB 728 if you haven’t yet!
CAMEO Network also supports a number of bills that are currently making their way through the Legislature:
- AB 380 (Gonzalez): Extends anti-price gouging protections for the full duration of an emergency declaration and includes commercial leases under rental price gouging protections.
- AB 592 (Gabriel): Supports California community restaurants by expanding outdoor dining, streamlining regulations, and allowing open-kitchen designs to take advantage of the state’s climate.
- AB 613 (Gonzalez): Supports mission-driven organizations in acquiring commercial property by recognizing affordability restrictions for tax assessments, reducing tax burdens, and ensuring affordable leases for small businesses and nonprofits.
- AB 801 (Bonta): Establishes a state-level Community Reinvestment Act in California, setting standards for financial institutions to invest responsibly, address wealth disparities, and promote community prosperity.
- SB 534 (Padilla): Creates a Green Empowerment Zone in the Salton Sea region to address economic and environmental challenges while promoting lithium production and community development.
- SB 635 (Durazo): Safeguards street vendors by limiting data collection to ensure their economic security and stability, regardless of immigration status.