BizFed President David Englin along with BizFed members George Francisco of the Venice Chamber of Commerce, Genevieve Morrill of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Maria Salinas of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce joined Assemblymember Matt Haney at a press conference in front of the Crypto.com Arena on Monday, April 7th to voice support for AB 342.
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Many of California’s once bustling downtowns have turned to ghost towns since the COVID-19 pandemic. Office buildings are struggling with low occupancy and the lack of foot traffic is forcing retail businesses to shut down. There is an urgent need to reimagine California’s downtowns as places that can attract visitors, residents and workers with thriving restaurants, attractions, arts and nightlife.
THE ASK: We need your help to pass AB 342 (Haney) the creation of Hospitality Zones that local governments have full control over, determining who within the zones would be granted extended closing times. Within these zones, this bill allows service until 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and on state holidays.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: A 4 a.m. last call allows a more staggered closing time for businesses in the Hospitality Zone and a more consistent flow of people returning home from the venues
throughout the night, which would mitigate safety concerns. AB 342 is a pro-business, pro-local government bill that gives cities the tools and flexibility they need to support their communities and the needs of their residents and visitors.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: As the state prepares to host five major worldwide events over the next three years, our cities need every tool to be able to capitalize on this moment. The 2025 Super Bowl generated $1 billion for the New Orleans economy. As San Francisco and the nearby cities prepare to host the 2026 Super Bowl, followed by the 2027 Super Bowl in Los Angeles, a limited last call hour will greatly limit opportunities for businesses, discourage tourists from traveling to our state, and create challenges for managing a large number of visitors.
Additionally, California will be hosting international travelers as one of the hosts of the World Cup in 2026 and the host of the Olympics in 2028. When deciding whether the expenses of these events is worth their money, tourists will take into account the entertainment options that could accompany their visit to California for these events.
WHO DECIDES: AB 342 (Haney) is expected to be heard before the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
Click HERE to Send an Email to the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee NOW!
Click HERE to Read BizFed's Letter of Support
BizFed launched in 2008 and now unites more than 245 diverse business organizations. BizFed’s 150 investors include micro-businesses to iconic brands and institutions.