Local Advocacy

What is advocacy?  The act or process of advocating or supporting a cause or proposal

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce is hard at work advocating on behalf of businesses to local, regional and national decision makers on policies that directly impact businesses.  We have a dedicated team who serve on our Government Relations Committee who are appointed by the Board to review proposed legislation or issues, which might have ramifications for local businesses.  This committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for the purposes of establishing official Chamber positions.

We are also a part of El Dorado County Joint Chambers Commission.  Joint Chambers of Commerce includes representatives from the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, the Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce and the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce.  In order for an action to move forward, all three Chambers must be in agreement.

Additionally, Debbie Manning, President & CEO, participates in weekly conference calls with the California Chamber of Commerce to focus on statewide policy.  She frequently attends  County Board of Supervisors meetings and meets regularly with the Supervisors on issues related to helping, keeping and attracting businesses to El Dorado Hills.

2022 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record


Chamber Opposes AB 2840 (Reyes) Job Killer

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce to strongly oppose Assembly Bill 2840 (Reyes), as amended on March 24, 2022, which the CalChamber has labeled as a JOB KILLER. The bill seeks to ban any new or expansion of existing warehouses and development projects 100,000 square feet or more if proposed within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors, among other restrictions.
Click here to read more

Chamber Opposes AB 1993 (Wicks) Employer COVID Vaccination Requirements

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins United Chamber Advocacy Network (UCAN), which includes ten local chambers of commerce and representing over 6,000 employers in four northern California counties, strongly oppose Assembly Bill 1993 (Wicks) which would require employers to validate and record the vaccination status of all employees and independent contractors.
Click here to read more

Chamber Opposes AB 2182 (Wicks) Employment Discrimination and Accommodation

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce to oppose AB 2182 (Wicks), which has been labeled as a JOB KILLER because it imposes a burdensome, new accommodation requirement on small businesses to provide employees with time off any time school or a care center is unavailable.
Click here to read more

Chamber Supports SB 1452 (Dahle)

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce was contacted by a local business leader to help facilitate change in El Dorado County’s fair access to liquor licenses. After contacting Senator Dahle, who then introduced Senate Bill 1452, the Chamber began seeking community support in getting this legislation passed.
Click here for Open Letter 03.22.22 Click here for Chamber Letter 03.22.22

Chamber Supports Governor’s Budget Proposal – Insurance Loans

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce to support Governor Newsom’s budget proposal regarding the outstanding unemployment insurance (UI) loan from the federal government.
Click here to read more

Chamber Opposes AB 1400 – Job Killers

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce to AB 1400 (Kalra, Lee, and Santiago) as introduced on February 19, 2021, and ACA 11 (Kalra and Lee) as introduced on January 5, 2022, as JOB KILLERS, as the bills would create a new and exorbitantly expensive government bureaucracy, which would control and finance a state-run health care system (CalCare), ultimately resulting in significant job loss to California.
Click here to read more

Chamber Supports AB 820 (Cooley) Small Business Recovery Act

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins United Chamber Advocacy Network (UCAN) to enthusiastically support Assembly Bill 820 (Cooley), The Small Business Recovery Act, which proposes to incentivize California banks to provide loans to small businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to read more

UCAN 2022 State Policy Agenda

United Chamber Advocacy Network announces areas of priority for 2022 with UCAN State Legislative Delegation contacts included. Click here to view agenda

2021 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record

 


UCAN 2021 Year End Report

United Chamber Advocacy Network summarizes areas of priority for 2021 with UCAN State Legislative Delegation contacts included.

Click here to view 2021 Year End Report

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose Increased Taxes in FY 2022 Budget

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins California Chamber of Commerce to respectfully oppose proposals in Congress to increase taxes on large and small businesses to pay for the massive multi-trillion dollar reconciliation package.
 

Click here for Cal Chamber Letter 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose AB 1041 Employment Leave

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins California Chamber of Commerce to respectually oppose AB 1041 (Wicks), which will significantly expand the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and paid sick leave to allow an employee to take protected and/or paid time off to care for any person of their choice.
 

Click here for Cal Chamber Letter 09.01.21


 

Chamber Joins UCAN in Letter to Governor against Enhanced COVID Benefits

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network and 20 state and local business organizations to express the concerns of employers throughout California – that enhanced federal and state benefits are stalling economic recovery by incentivizing job seekers to stay home rather than accept available jobs.
 

Click here for Press Release

Click here for UCAN Letter 


 

Chambers Offer Support for a Second Business Grant Program

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the El Dorado County and Tahoe Chambers of Commerce as advocates for our respective business communities, knowing the need is still great. We commit to being partners in this timely effort to secure additional funding, as we were earlier this year.
 

Click here for Press Release

Click here for County CAO Letter 


 

Chamber Joins UCAN to Announce Workforce Survey

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network, which recently conducted a survey of local employers to determine what, if any difficulties they were having hiring employees to fill open positions. 
 

Click here for Press Release

Click here for Workforce Survey Summary 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose SB 260 Climate Corporate Accountability Act

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully OPPOSE SB 260 (Wiener) as amended on April 19, 2021. SB 260 seeks to require substantial data reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, either directly or indirectly, of all companies who wish to do business in California.
 

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose AB 995 Paid Sick Days

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully OPPOSE AB 995 (Gonzalez) along with AB 1119 (Wicks). Small businesses have endured great financial hardships, and these bills would impose additional mandates, which are already burdensome for small businesses.
 

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber and More to Oppose AB 570 Dependent Parent Health Coverage

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully OPPOSE AB 570 (Santiago) as amended on March 18, 2021, as it would require health plans and insurers to offer dependent coverage to parents and stepparents of enrollees and insureds. While the bill is certainly well-intentioned, it will place an additional strain on struggling businesses for coverage that is already accessible and affordable for those who need it.
 

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Supports County DOT Letter to Congressman McClintock

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the Joint Chambers Commission of El Dorado County, seeking support from Congressman Tom McClintock in helping El Dorado County get its fair share for the Community Project Funding that the El Dorado County Department of Transportation (EDC-DOT) is closely monitoring for the development of federal transportation funding programs and policies.
 

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose AB 95 Bereavement Leave “Job Killer”

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully OPPOSE AB 95 (Low) and has been labeled a JOB KILLER. AB 95 will mandate that every employer with 25 or more employees grant employees up to ten (10) days of bereavement leave upon the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or domestic partner. It will also mandate that every employer with fewer than 25 employees grants up to three (3) days of bereavement leave.
 

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose AB 1119 Employment “Job Killer”

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully OPPOSE AB 1119 (Wicks), which has been labeled as a JOB KILLER. AB 1119 adds any individual with “family responsibilities” as a protected class to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which creates an automatic basis for an individual in that new classification to challenge any adverse employment action.
 

Click here to read Updated 4.27.21

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose AB 1041 CFRA “Job Killer”

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully oppose CFRA, which was just expanded on January 1, 2021 to apply to small businesses with only 5 employees. Not only was CFRA extended to apply to small businesses, but the family members for whom an employee can take leave to provide care was also expanded. Because of those changes, CFRA no longer runs concurrently with its federal counterpart, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Click here to read Updated 5.7.21

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins UCAN and Others to Request Immediate Clarification on H.R. 1319 from U.S. Treasury

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network, fellow Chambers, and Associations to ask for immediate clarification on language included in H.R. 1319 (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) that we believe could prevent California from investing in critical anti-poverty and business recovery programs.

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins UCAN Chambers to Release 2021 State Policy Agenda

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network, which includes seven local chambers of commerce, representing over 5,000 employees in four northern California counties to release its 2021 State Policy Agenda on March 15 during a Zoom conference among chamber leaders and five state legislators. Reopen CA and Rebuild Small Business top the list of priorities.

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Joins Cal Chamber to Oppose Mandate for Increased Grocery Worker Pay

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations to respectfully oppose the proposal to mandate an across-the-board increase of grocery worker and hourly pay. Such a steep increase in payroll costs will have a detrimental impact on the grocery industry, which has been and presently is operating on thin profit margins with many stores operating at a loss.

Click here to read more 


 

Chamber Advocates for Small Businesses with Cal Chamber

A letter to the Governor, Mr. Speaker, Madam President Pro Tem, Members of the State Legislature urges economic recovery, outlined by the California Chamber of Commerce, El Dorado Hills Chamber, and dozens of chambers and affiliations.

Click here to read more


 

Chamber Joins UCAN to Support SB 74 Keep California Working Act

On behalf of UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network, which includes six local chambers of commerce, representing over 5,000 employers in four northern California counties, we are pleased to support Senate Bill 74 to establish the Keep California Working Grant Program and award $2.6 billion to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have experienced economic hardship resulting from state and county directives associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read more 


 

UCAN 2021 State Policy Agenda

United Chamber Advocacy Network announces areas of priority for 2021 with UCAN State Legislative Delegation contacts included.

Click here to view agenda


 

 

2020 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record


Chamber Urges Congressman McClintock for 2nd PPP Relief

The El Dorado Hills Chamber asks to enact legislation, which would allow businesses to access a second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan with tax deductibility and streamlined forgiveness. This comes in light of the December 9, 2020 announcement by Governor Newsom for the mandatory Stay At Home Order for the Greater Sacramento region to take effect on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:59 PM. 

Click here to read more

Chamber Joins UCAN to Strongly Advocate for Small Businesses

In response to Governor Newsom’s regional stay-at-home order based on ICU-bed capacity that was announced on December 3, 2020, the United Chamber Advocacy Network (UCAN), a coalition of seven local chambers of commerce, met to develop priorities for the next legislative session. The El Dorado Hills Chamber and UCAN are urging immediate action for ALL of our businesses to be deemed essential and to remain open, following the appropriate health and safety guidelines.

Click here to read more

Chamber Joins UCAN to Oppose “Split Roll Tax” Measure on November Ballot

84% of chamber members responding to the UCAN member survey indicated they opposed the “Split Roll Tax” measure scheduled to appear on the November 2020 ballot. UCAN chambers and their members know that such a proposal will increase property taxes for business property owners and increase rents for small business owners and pieces for their customers. Defeating this ballot measure is a clear priority for UCAN chambers in 2020.

Click here to read more

Click here to view letter


Chamber Joins Coalition of Californians to Save Prop 13

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce agrees to be listed as a member of the Californians to Save Prop 13 and Stop Higher Property Taxes and an opponent of Initiative 17-0055 and Initiative 19-0008, the special-interest backed, split-roll property tax measures that attack Prop 13.


Chamber Opposes SB 1383 (Jackson) Job Killer

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to oppose SB 1383 (Jackson) as unlawful employment practice, as amended June 23, 2020.

Click here to view letter


Chamber Opposes PFL Updated for May 21, 2020 Hearing

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins other chambers and associations to oppose Paid Family Leave because it would significantly harm small employers, requiring them to provide 12 weeks of protected leave each year among other overwhelming measures.

Click here to view letter


Chamber Supports SB 806 (GROVE) Worker Status

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the California Chamber of Commerce and various organizations in support of SB 806 to amend the “ABC” test for determining employee versus independent contractor status.

Click here to view letter


Chamber Supports Capital SouthEast Connector

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority in support of the BUILD grant in order to make possible better and safer access for our region’s many employers and our growing retail presence.

Click here to view letter


Chamber Opposes PFL Trailer Bill Language

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins other chambers and associations to oppose Paid Family Leave Bill Trailer Language because it is inappropriately placed in the budget and would significantly harm small employers, requiring them to provide 12 weeks of protected leave each year, among other overwhelming measures.

Click here to view letter


UCAN 2020 State Policy Agenda

United Chamber Advocacy Network announces areas of priority for 2020 with UCAN State Legislative Delegation contacts included.

Click here to view agenda


Chamber Opposes Paid Family Leave Trailer Bill Language

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce joins other chambers and associations to oppose PFL because it would significantly harm small employers, requiring them to provide 12 weeks of protected leave each year among other overwhelming measures.

Click here to view letter


 

Chamber Urges BOS to Reconsider TIM Fee Increase for Zone 8

Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors,

On behalf of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce we are concerned that the County has lost sight of their adopted 2016 Strategic Plan; https://www.edcgov.us/Government/CAO/StrategicPlan/Pages/Economic-Development.aspx. The first goal, Economic Develpment; enable a prosperous and vibrant economy. Click here to view the letter.

Chamber Supports EDH Apartment Project in Town Center

Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors,
Attached is our letter of support from May 21, 2014 for the El Dorado Hills Apartment project in Town Center proposed by the Spanos Corporation.  Our position today remains the same for this important project for our community that will support both existing retail in addition to providing the foundation for future commercial development. Click here to view the letter.

Chamber opposes AB 5 because it has been labeled a job killer

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Joint Chambers Commission, strongly opposes AB 5, which has been labeled a job killerbecause it will limit employers’ ability to effectively manage their workforce to address both consumer and employee requests, subject employers to costly fines and multiple avenues of litigation for technical violations that do not actually result in any harm to the employee, is inconsistent with existing law, and will limit job opportunities for unemployed workers. Click here to view the letter

UCAN  United Chamber Advocacy Network Update

Advocacy is a top priority for our chamber and a priority concern of our members.

And our members are especially concerned about impacts to their businesses by the policies, taxes and regulations imposed on them by the state of California.

That’s why the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce has teamed with several other local chambers of commerce in the greater Sacramento area to form UCAN – the United Chamber Advocacy Network – where you can make a difference for business in California!

The UCAN Chambers have developed our 2018 State Policy Agenda based on direct feedback from our members, who in December expressed concerns about Taxes, Regulations, HR Policy, Legal Liability and the state’s overall Business Climate.

Through UCAN, our chamber has our own lobbyist, working with our legislators and their colleagues to advance your priorities at the State Capitol.

Click on the links below to find out more information click here 2018 Annual Report.

The United Chamber Advocacy Network, also known as UCAN, had a busy and effective year during the 2018 state legislative session which came to an official close September 30, the final day when the Governor can take action on bills approved by the Legislature. Read more ››

2018 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record

 

Chamber supports the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority’s application for grant
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Debbie Manning, wrote a letter to The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Transportation, to express the Chamber’s support for the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority’s application for an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant. Click here to view letter.

Chamber opposes AB 1 (Frazier): Transportation Funding
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Joint Chambers Commission, strongly opposes Assembly Bill 1 because it will raise gas taxes and fees, fundamentally hurting the middle class and low income communities. Click here to view letter.

Chamber opposes SB 1 (BEALL): Transportation Funding
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Joint Chambers Commission, strongly opposes Senate Bill 1 because it will raise gas taxes and fees, fundamentally hurting the middle class and low income communities. Click here to view letter.

Chamber supports AB 174 (BIGELOW)
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Joint Chambers Commission, is writing to support AB 174, which would require one voting member of the California Transportation Commission to reside in a county with a population of less than 100,000. Click here to view letter

Chamber opposes Assembly Bill 199
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Joint Chambers Commission, is signing onto the Coalition for Affordable, Reliable and Equitable (CARE) Housing for the opposition of Assembly Bill 199 – Prevailing Wage on Private Residential Construction.
If AB 199’s mandated prevailing wage passes, it could overturn current law and require higher labor and housing costs on new apartments and housing in California.
As the cost of construction skyrockets, projects may become unfeasible and new for sale and rental housing projects will be abandoned. Plus, this detrimental bill could result in tens of thousands of jobs killed. To read the letter of opposition, please click here.

Chamber opposes SB 63
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, through the California Chamber of Commerce, signed on to the coalition to oppose SB 63 (Jackson), which has been identified as a job killer. The bill targets and will significantly harm small employers in California with as few as 20 employees by adding to the existing burden under which they already struggle.  Click here to view letter.

Chamber opposes AB5
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, through the California Chamber of Commerce, signed on to the coalition to oppose AB 5 (Gonzalez Fletcher/Kalra), which has been labeled a job killer, because it will limit employers’ ability to effectively manage their workforce to address both consumer and employee requests, subject employers to costly fines and multiple avenues of litigation for technical violations that do not actually result in any harm to the employee, is inconsistent with existing law, and will limit job opportunities for unemployed workers. Click here to view letter.

2017 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record

Chamber opposes Assembly Bill 67 (Gonzalez) Double Pay on the Holiday Act of 2016
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill through a coalition of Chambers established by the California Chamber of Commerce, as it unfairly targets two classifications of employers, increases their costs, and creates a competitive disadvantage by forcing them to recognize Thanksgiving as a “family holiday” and compensate all employees with double the regular rate of pay for work performed on that day.
Click here to view letter

Chamber Opposes Measure E & G
The El Dorado Hills Chamber believes Measure E & Measure G are bad for business and will effectively stop all non-residential uses (agricultural, public facilities, Business Park research and development, commercial, CSD and government actions) that require discretionary approvals.
Click here to view letter

Chamber Opposes Senate Bill 878 (Leyva) Work Hours: Scheduling
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill through a coalition of Chambers established by the California Chamber of Commerce, which was identified as a job killer which would eliminate flexibility in the workplace for both employers and employees.
Click here to view letter

Chamber Opposes Senate Bill 3 (Leno) Minimum Wage: Annual Adjustment
The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce opposes this bill through a coalition of Chambers established by the California Chamber of Commerce, which was labeled as a job killer and will potentially impose a 50% increase in the minimum wage over the next six years for employers with more than 256 employees.
Click here to view letter

2016 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record

2015 El Dorado Hills Chamber Voting Record
Click here to view table

Chamber Opposes Measure M & Measure O – Bad for Business
The Chamber is very concerned for the future of our businesses, both commercial and retail if these Measures pass.  We believe these Measures are “job killers” for El Dorado Hills and El Dorado County.
Click here to view position

Chamber supports El Dorado Hills Apartments in Town Center
This project will support both existing retail in addition to providing the foundation for future commercial development.
Click here to view letter

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce, through our Government Relations Committee, is keeping a close eye on these “job killer” bills.
The Chamber is on record as opposing SB935 which would raise the minimum wage to $13.00 per hour by 2017 and AB1522 which would mandate paid sick leave (3 days minimum) for all California employers except those with collective bargaining agreements.

AB1522 –Employment – paid sick days
SB935 – Minimum wage – annual adjustment

The El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce OPPOSES SB 626 (Beall) because it would severely undercut the workers compensation reform deal agreed to by labor unions and employers in 2012 and would result in dramatic cost increases to California employers.
Click here to view document

The Chamber Opposes AB10 (ALJEO) Minimum Wage-Annual Adjustment
Click here to view letter

The Chamber Opposes SB 594-Use of Public Resouces
Click here to view letter

Chamber Supports the Maketplace Fairness Act;  
This legislation will require online retailers to collect sales taxes on retail purchases in the same manner in which local merchants now do.
Click here to view letter

Chamber Weighs in on LUPPU (Land Use Policy Programmatic Update) & Southeast Capital Connector;  
support for both with recommendations.
Click here to view letter

Chamber signs on to OPPOSE SB626. 
SB626 would severely undercut the recent balanced workers’ compensation reform deal agreed to by labor unions and employers and would result in dramatic cost increases to California employers.
Click here to view letter

Chamber encourages Board of Supervisors vote in support of the Plan of Finance for the Capital SouthEast Connector.
In anticipation of the upcoming vote of the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority on the project’s 2012 Initial Plan of Finance, on behalf of the El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce I wanted to convey our support for moving this project forward due primarily to its economic development benefits.
Click here to view letter