Purpose
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is the most prominent and broadly based business representative in Simi Valley. One of the Chamber’s primary roles is to develop policies and practices to guide strong pro-business legislative and local policy representation on behalf of our membership. The Chamber seeks to foster collaboration with policymakers and to advocate for policies promoting a friendlier business climate.
The practices and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate, which is essential for all businesses to prosper and critical to improving the quality of life.
This platform guides the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for analysis and review in developing positions on legislation and other public policy issues. It will also outline the Simi Valley Chamber’s position on legislative matters with the Tri-County Chamber Alliance, California Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and local government.
Process:
The board of directors should take positions on legislative matters, with input provided by the Tri-County Chamber Alliance and LAF. Previous policy positions are still in effect until such time as a new position is taken or there is a change in policy.
Whenever appropriate, the Chamber will endeavor to invite input from both sides of an issue. In all cases, action should be guided by the following policy platform.
The Simi Valley Chamber Board, upon approval of this Legislative Policy Platform, instructs staff to utilize this platform when communicating on behalf of the Chamber regarding a particular policy. Those policies not held within this guideline will be brought to the Board of Directors for discussion at the next meeting.
2025 Policy Platform
EDUCATION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports a results-oriented approach to public higher education and workforce training to support a growing need for a well-trained workforce.
EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to pursuing policies that create and retain good-paying jobs and strengthen the local area’s economy.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
HEALTH CARE
HOUSING
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes housing as critical infrastructure for economic development, supporting workforce attraction and retention.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports policies, legislation, and projects that encourage continuing improvement in California’s infrastructure, support growth, and stimulate the economy.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Simi Valley Chamber recognizes the importance of the continued development of international trade.
ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce opposes government environmental regulations that represent a burden for industry and the community, decrease job growth and business expansion, and impose higher costs of goods.
TAXES AND FEES ON BUSINESS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to taxes, fees, and assessments affecting business by all governmental agencies. Oppose changes that unduly burden business and support changes that encourage economic stability and business development, including:
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovation in driving economic growth, enhancing business operations, and creating new job opportunities.
LEGAL REFORM AND PROTECTION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to the judicial system or litigation and arbitration rules. Oppose changes that make it more challenging to exercise businesses’ rights or increase the cost of dispute resolution. Support changes that make it easier or more economical for companies to exercise their legal rights.
STATE GOVERNANCE
CITY GOVERNANCE
Support Community Development with emphasis on, but not limited to, the following issues:
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is the most prominent and broadly based business representative in Simi Valley. One of the Chamber’s primary roles is to develop policies and practices to guide strong pro-business legislative and local policy representation on behalf of our membership. The Chamber seeks to foster collaboration with policymakers and to advocate for policies promoting a friendlier business climate.
The practices and implementation of these policies will enhance the base of private enterprise by directly improving the economic climate, which is essential for all businesses to prosper and critical to improving the quality of life.
This platform guides the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for analysis and review in developing positions on legislation and other public policy issues. It will also outline the Simi Valley Chamber’s position on legislative matters with the Tri-County Chamber Alliance, California Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and local government.
Process:
The board of directors should take positions on legislative matters, with input provided by the Tri-County Chamber Alliance and LAF. Previous policy positions are still in effect until such time as a new position is taken or there is a change in policy.
Whenever appropriate, the Chamber will endeavor to invite input from both sides of an issue. In all cases, action should be guided by the following policy platform.
The Simi Valley Chamber Board, upon approval of this Legislative Policy Platform, instructs staff to utilize this platform when communicating on behalf of the Chamber regarding a particular policy. Those policies not held within this guideline will be brought to the Board of Directors for discussion at the next meeting.
2025 Policy Platform
EDUCATION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports a results-oriented approach to public higher education and workforce training to support a growing need for a well-trained workforce.
- Support legislation that increases graduation rates and workforce readiness and promotes career technical education.
EMPLOYMENT AND JOBS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to pursuing policies that create and retain good-paying jobs and strengthen the local area’s economy.
- Minimum Wage – Oppose arbitrary increases in the California State minimum wage that exceed the federal standard and formulas that tie the minimum wage to an index.
- Flexible Work Week – Preserve and support wage and hour rules that base overtime on a 40-hour workweek rather than an eight-hour workday.
- Living Wage – Oppose government-mandated “living wage” programs that exceed the federal minimum wage standard.
- Labor Code Changes – Oppose government-mandated programs that negatively affect business. Support government-mandated programs that encourage business retention in the region.
- Worker’s Compensation – Monitor rules/regulations that increase costs to employers and oppose any rules/regulations that unduly burden business
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
- Support reasonable and efficient regulations proposed to improve safety in the workplace; oppose rules and regulations that unnecessarily burden business.
- Oppose agency hearing and appeal process changes that impede the protection of employer rights.
HEALTH CARE
- Oppose mandates that penalize employers and negatively affect business.
- Oppose measures that place an excessive burden on the General Fund, increase Medi-Cal costs, or impair the private insurance market.
HOUSING
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes housing as critical infrastructure for economic development, supporting workforce attraction and retention.
- Support multi-sector partnerships to develop innovative housing solutions, leveraging private, public, and nonprofit resources.
- Support policies that streamline the approval process for new housing and encourage diverse housing stock to meet the needs of all community members.
- Support the development of housing options for workers at all income levels to ensure businesses have access to a stable, local workforce.
- Advocate for local control in housing development policies, ensuring that solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of the Simi Valley community and resist one-size-fits-all mandates from the state.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce supports policies, legislation, and projects that encourage continuing improvement in California’s infrastructure, support growth, and stimulate the economy.
- Transportation – Support long-term, stable funding sources from all levels of government to maintain, repair, and increase transportation infrastructure to provide mobility for goods and people by all modes of transportation on our highways, streets, railways, and ports.
- Transportation Security – Monitor TSA security screening regulations placed on shipments of goods and cargo. Support regulations necessary to national security and safety but oppose those that unduly burden business and unreasonably interfere with commerce.
- Water and Wastewater – Support a long-term, comprehensive water plan that includes new supply, storage, and conveyance elements. Support legislation and policies that encourage realistic, fair, and consistent discharge requirements for large and small business owners. Oppose legislation that puts an unfair burden on businesses concerning sewer water and wastewater management.
- Energy – Support legislation and policies that encourage a reliable source of consistent, affordable, and diverse energy supply, including renewable sources.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Simi Valley Chamber recognizes the importance of the continued development of international trade.
- Support policies that promote the expansion of free and fair trade wherever possible, as it relates to our membership.
- Monitor and support steps to help grow California businesses and foster new businesses in California.
ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce opposes government environmental regulations that represent a burden for industry and the community, decrease job growth and business expansion, and impose higher costs of goods.
- Support measures that achieve state-mandated targets while maintaining the competitiveness of local businesses.
- Chemicals - Monitor rules/regulations that pertain to chemicals in products, food, water, and air, and oppose any over-regulation that burdens or creates uncertainty for business.
- Alternative Fuels: Support investigation into future use of alternative fuels (such as LNG).
- Green House Gas - Monitor greenhouse gas emissions issues, including implementing a cap & trade program, and oppose any over-regulation that would burden business.
- Sustainability - Support and promote sustainable codes and laws that incentivize businesses to oppose penalties or burdensome restrictions that impede business growth and prosperity.
- Environmental Review - Support measures that expedite and streamline the environmental approval process.
TAXES AND FEES ON BUSINESS
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to taxes, fees, and assessments affecting business by all governmental agencies. Oppose changes that unduly burden business and support changes that encourage economic stability and business development, including:
- State and local tax increases affecting the Simi Valley business community in particular and the state economy in general.
- Efforts to secure tax credits for targeted work training programs
- Efforts to privatize government services/public contracts
- Ensures that regulations on business are kept to a minimum and do not put Simi Valley businesses at a competitive disadvantage
- Oppose overregulation in legislation so as not to overburden a business or unduly increase the costs of goods and services
- Support legislation that incentivizes investments in research and development or securing new equipment
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovation in driving economic growth, enhancing business operations, and creating new job opportunities.
- Promote AI Literacy and Education – Support initiatives and partnerships that increase AI literacy and education among businesses and the workforce, ensuring the community remains competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
- Advocate for Ethical AI Use – Encourage the development and implementation of AI technologies that adhere to ethical standards and practices, safeguarding privacy, security, and safety within the community.
- Foster Innovation-friendly Regulations – Support policies that foster an environment conducive to technological innovation, advocating for regulations that enable AI development and application while ensuring responsible governance.
LEGAL REFORM AND PROTECTION
The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce aims to examine and monitor changes to the judicial system or litigation and arbitration rules. Oppose changes that make it more challenging to exercise businesses’ rights or increase the cost of dispute resolution. Support changes that make it easier or more economical for companies to exercise their legal rights.
STATE GOVERNANCE
- Budget Process – Support efforts to promote long-term fiscal stability by reforming the state budget process.
- Redistricting – Support changes that result in more equitable representation of citizens by elected officials.
- Reorganization – Support changes that achieve economic and efficient administration and oversight of state services.
- Ensures that the government focuses on the functions meant for the government to do and views the private sector as a resource
- Encourage all levels of government and legislators to cooperate to streamline and reduce unnecessary regulations.
CITY GOVERNANCE
Support Community Development with emphasis on, but not limited to, the following issues:
- City ordinances that affect business promotion.
- Review of city fees and charges on business.
- Zoning Ordinances and Development Fees that provide for a stable economy
- Support the growth of existing businesses, attract new companies to Simi Valley, and enhance the quality of life of all residents.