AB 2170 (Boerner), OCBC OPPOSE

Policy Newsroom

Orange County Business Council (OCBC), oppose AB 2170. While we appreciate the intent of AB 2170 to enhance community engagement and address environmental justice concerns, the bill would significantly expand the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in ways that increase costs, delay projects, and create new barriers to economic investment. AB 2170 eliminates key CEQA exemptions and ministerial pathways for projects located on industrially zoned land within or near broadly defined “overburdened communities,” requiring full environmental review regardless of a project’s actual impacts. This approach removes important tools that have helped streamline approvals for infill development, operational improvements, and job creating investments.

SB 1075 (Reyes), OCBC OPPOSE

Policy Newsroom

Orange County Business Council (OCBC), opposes SB 1075 (Reyes), which would impose significant new constraints on local land use decision-making and create substantial uncertainty for businesses, infrastructure projects and economic development across California. At a high level, SB 1075 requires local governments to align land use decisions with state-approved community emissions reduction programs and environmental justice elements of general plans. In doing so, the bill limits local discretion and requires jurisdictions to prevent new or expanded uses that may contribute to air quality impacts, even when those uses are otherwise permitted under existing law.

AB 1790 (Connolly), OCBC OPPOSE

Policy Newsroom

Orange County Business Council (OCBC) opposes AB 1790 (Connolly), which would eliminate California’s water’s-edge election beginning in 2028 and require mandatory worldwide combined reporting for corporate taxpayers. OCBC is concerned that this proposal would significantly increase tax burdens on companies doing business in California while adding substantial complexity and uncertainty to the state’s tax system.

AB 1776 (Aguiar-Curry), OCBC OPPOSE

Policy Newsroom

AB 1776 (Aguiar-Curry) would grant the state Attorney General broad authority to open investigations into any company, of any size, for virtually any reason. The bill also includes a private right of action that would allow unions, competitors and other third parties to bring lawsuits against businesses. This could lead to scenarios where neighboring businesses, such as grocery stores or competing entities, sue one another over alleged market dominance.

Orange County Early Talent Signals

Event

February 25, 2026

Join the Orange County Business Council, regional employers, College Board and K–12 and community college educators for a networking reception focused on strengthening Orange County’s talent pipeline. We’ll share new and innovative ideas for signaling early talent and career readiness, explore ways to collaborate more deeply in the months ahead, and then head together to the OC Pathways Showcase to see students demonstrate their pathways in action.

– Connect with K-12 and community college leaders shaping local pathways

– Share what “career-ready” looks like in your industry and how early talent can show it

– Choose a simple way to engage as we build tomorrow’s workforce together

Talent Signals Mixer immediately followed by the OC Pathways Showcase, where forward thinking employers can meet their future workforce and learn how Orange County programs are preparing students for their future careers.