In an email to members Saturday, the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce provided an update on bills on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk that could affect the local area.
Executive Director Claire Scotti noted that the regular legislative session has ended and directed lawmakers’ attention to five pending bills that, as of Sunday night, had been approved by the state House but not signed by the governor.
Vice Mayor Corey Costello mentioned the pending bill during a presentation to the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council on Sept. 4. Costello also discussed the bill and other legislative and political news during a Sept. 3 episode of the Tehachapod podcast called “Eye on the Capitol.”
While the podcast covers a broader area, Scottie focused on AB98, AB 2178, SB 450, SB 969, and SB 1053.
“I encourage members to learn more about these bills as they could impact business owners’ daily lives,” she wrote in an email that included links to each of the state Assembly and Senate bills under consideration.
Assembly Bill 98: This bill would impose significant restrictions on new warehouse development and warehouse expansion, according to the League of California Cities. The League opposed the bill along with other local government associations, manufacturers and business groups, who expect the Governor to veto the bill.
Assembly Bill 2178: Places a limit on the number of open beds in state prisons. As Costello noted in his Sept. 4 presentation, despite a declining inmate population, California is on track to spend $18 billion on state prisons over the next year, $3 billion more than at the start of Newsom’s administration. Costello said meeting the requirements of Assembly Bill 2178 would require more prison closures, which Newsom opposes.
According to AB 2178, as of Jan. 31, there were 13,211 vacant beds in state prisons. Taking into account the planned closure of Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in 2025, the number of vacant beds is projected to increase to about 19,000 by June 30, 2028, or nearly one-fifth of the state’s total prison capacity.
If the governor doesn’t veto the bill, CDCR would be required to reduce the number of available beds to 5,900 by the 2028-29 fiscal year, with incremental reductions each year until then.
Locally, jobs have been lost due to the lease of the state prison in California City and the closure of two of the California Correctional Institution’s five prison camps, and CCI officials recently announced a change in mission aimed at stabilizing the inmate population at the remaining camps.
Senate Bill 450: Strips cities and other local agencies of the power to increase housing density. Costello said it aims to mark “the end of single-family zoning as we know it” and make it easier to build two-family homes.
Senate Bill 969: Allows cities to create “entertainment districts” in which restaurants can sell alcohol. Costello said people would be able to drink alcohol on public streets and sidewalks in such districts.
Senate Bill 1053: Bans heavy-duty plastic bags that have been offered to consumers for 10 cents since lightweight, single-use plastic bags were banned. Costello said the heavier bags are touted as reusable and recyclable, but waste from plastic bags has increased. If the governor signs the bill, plastic bags would be phased out by Jan. 1, 2028, and replaced with paper bags made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled materials.
The governor must sign the pending bill by September 30 before it can become law.