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Policy Priorities and Positions

Combatting Homelessness 

BOMA/GLA is committed to addressing the biggest crisis facing Greater Los Angeles: Homelessness. Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis; it is a public health crisis; it is an economic crisis - and it is holding back both the people who experience it and our entire region. BOMA/GLA is therefore working on all fronts to address this crisis. 

  • Through our partnership with The People Concern, we have developed numerous volunteer, fundraising, and educational opportunities for our members to directly help individuals experiencing homelessness. 
  • We are leading the charge to tell our elected officials that it's time for real change in every major jurisdiction across the County: Enforce existing law that keep our rights of way clear, invest in more diverse and nimble forms of temporary housing and services (such as "tiny homes"), utilize our network to help government officials identify safe housing locations, and intervene when individuals who are illegally camped refuse services. 
  • We also need to invest in workforce/economic development that keep individuals housed in the first place, while acknowledging the mental health and addiction issues that can lead to homelessness. 
  • BOMA/GLA recognizes that homelessness is one of our society's greatest moral and humanitarian concerns and has consistently supported efforts to more efficiently and effectively address the multifaceted challenges presented by homelessness. Our members are active in the community and strive to serve as key contributors to a responsible long-term solution. We participate in coalition efforts to create more housing and homelessness services and advocate for policies that empower owners and managers of commercial real estate to maintain clean and safe working environments for all building tenants and their guests. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Homelessness 

   

Building Electrification, Decarbonization, and EV Issues 

As local governments across LA County look to "go green," they are increasingly turning to measures to shift existing buildings solely towards full electrification and carbon net neutrality. Simultaneously, California has committed to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, with cities around LA County looking to mandate electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in our members' parking lots. 

  • BOMA/GLA is actively working with local government in the County, City of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Burbank to develop incentives instead of mandates wherever possible and to institute realistic timelines for electrification and decarbonization. 
  • We encourage real estate owners and managers to continually strive to improve energy efficiency, understand state and federal incentive programs for energy retrofits, and collect building data that will assist in making informed decisions on energy usage. 
  • We support owners in playing an active role in implementing responsible consumption practices that are environmentally and economically sustainable using proven technologies and procedures. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Commercial Buildings 

  

Cutting Red Tape 

In 2021, BOMA/GLA successfully worked with LA's Department of Building and Safety to develop a "Fast Track" system to ensure that your permits for basic tenant improvement projects are reviewed and approved in just two days. 

  • We are now looking to replicate and build upon this effort, working with other jurisdictions throughout LA County to explore similar fast-tracking measures to permitting projects in your buildings. 
  • BOMA/GLA supports the current state and local code development processes which allow for input by all affected stakeholders, including commercial building owners. We encourage policy makers to consider the financial and operational impact of regulations and work with our industry to pursue public safety in office buildings in an effective and efficient manner. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Codes

 

Opposing Harmful Tax Increases 

BOMA/GLA was disappointed by the passage of Measure ULA in 2022, which imposed a 5.5% transfer tax on most BOMA/GLA members - a twelvefold increase from the previous rate. 

  • BOMA/GLA is continuing to monitor opportunities to undo the damage of ULA while addressing the root of the problem: Our system does not give enough voter voice to tax increases and too many loopholes exist to pass new harmful taxes. 
  • We strongly support the maintenance of Proposition 13 protections on commercial properties and oppose any effort to create a "split tax roll," which would discourage investment in commercial office buildings and further burden office building tenants. 
  • We also support the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which would have provided real oversight on tax increases and close the loopholes that have gotten many initiatives, like ULA, passed. We are collaborating with local government wherever possible to ensure that new taxes have their intended effect. We now support the lawsuit against Measure ULA. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Taxes and Fees

 

Security and Emergency Preparedness 

BOMA/GLA leads the industry in providing best practices and up-to-date information on security and emergency preparedness in office buildings. We seek enhanced information sharing between local, state, and federal agencies and our members, which will improve the safety of our buildings for tenants and the public. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Security and Emergency Preparedness

 

Labor Relations 

BOMA/GLA recognizes a worker's right to organize in their workplace and for unions to negotiate wages and working conditions on their behalf. We support a worker's right to a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board and advocate for a reasonable timeline and process for such elections that ensures a choice free of coercion, intimidation, irregularity, and illegality. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Labor Relations

 

Transportation 

BOMA/GLA supports a comprehensive regional transportation plan that increases mobility for all Angelenos. We encourage balancing the maximization of service and alternative transportation options while striving to cause minimal disruption to existing service areas. Business will flourish only if a wide range of transportation options allow the free flow of goods and customers. We advocate for funds to be directed to our area and for intergovernmental conflict to be minimized. 

BOMA/GLA Policy Position on Transportation