Welcome to the March 9-13 edition of the Main Street Minute from your small-business-advocacy team in Sacramento.

Calm Before the Storm

The work ahead for the California Legislature is pretty much set. Policy committees used last week to prioritize their agendas and plan their meetings to deal with all the new bills introduced this year and the carryover measures from 2025.

NFIB has a list of 53 bills it will lobby for (19), against (21), or just monitor (13). This week provides a great opportunity for NFIB members to act, at the push of a button, on two bills we’d like to drive up the numbers on: Assembly Bill 1900, which would have the state take over all health-care decisions, and Assembly Bill 2646 raising the minimum wage.

Click here to make your voice heard on these issues and check your email for future action alerts.

ATTENTION: San Luis Obispo County Members

You’re invited to join NFIB California State Director John Kabateck and fellow small business owners from across the county for an update on issues from under the Capitol dome that matter to your business and community. Discussion topics will include:

— 2026 Legislative Session and NFIB advocacy priorities

— California Coastal Commission

— Other regulations, laws, and mandates affecting your small business.

We also want to hear from you! Bring small business issues, priorities, and challenges that you want to share with your NFIB California team. The event is free but a registration is required.

NFIB Member Meeting
Wednesday, March 25
Noon to 1 p.m.
The Brightside1236 Los Osos Valley Rd Ste A
Los Osos, CA
Register Here

Email NFIB Grassroots Manager Matthew Woolley with any questions you have.

No Rest for State Director

Speaking of Kabateck, the morning after the Los Osos meeting, he will be back in Sacramento for a roundtable discussion with the California District Attorneys Association about ensuring that Proposition 36 is fully funded and implemented. NFIB endorsed Prop. 36 in the 2024 General Election but the Legislature has pushed back against the people’s will. Kabateck is part of a group of association CEOs fighting for the retail theft initiative.

Later that evening, Kabateck will address a select group of business owners assembled by the Sacramento Business Journal about recent economic trends.

Regulatory Matters

Highlights from the weekly Nielsen Merksamer report

— California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA)
March 3, the Agency issued a decision requiring PlayOn Sports to pay a $1.1 million fine and change its practices following a settlement reached by CalPrivacy’s Enforcement Division. The Board’s decision is the first to address privacy violations involving students and California schools.

May 1, California Privacy Protection Agency Board Meeting (Tentative)

— Department of Managed Health Care
Premium Rates and Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Meeting – March 11, 1:00 pm (Sacramento & virtual). The agenda includes a Department summary of premium rates and prescription drug costs, a Department of Insurance presentation, and discussion from the Office of Health Care Affordability.

NFIB California Making News
We sent out three news releases last week and will send another tomorrow, March on the monthly Small Business Optimism Index. Last week’s releases were:

— NEW NFIB SURVEY: California Small Business Optimism Falls Below National Average
State-specific data highlights the challenges faced by California’s small businesses

— Poll: Hands Off Prop. 13; ADA Needs Reforming
Small business owners speak up on four questions asked by NFIB

— California Comment on NFIB’s Latest Jobs Report
National numbers not reflective of state’s below national average on optimism

Calendar

— March 25: NFIB member meeting in Los Osos

— March 26-April 6: Legislature on Spring Break

— May 5: Small Business Leadership Day at the Capitol

— May 29: Last day for bills to pass their house of origin

— June 2: Primary Election for eight state constitutional offices, four Board of Equalization seats, all 52 congressional seats, all 80 assembly seats, and 20 (even-numbered districts) state senate seats. Governor’s proclamation here.

— June 15: Deadline (by midnight) to pass new state budget

— July 2-August 3: Legislature on Summer Recess

— August 31: Legislature adjourns its 2026 session

— September 30: Last day for governor to sign or veto bills sent to him.

National

Highlights from Federal Government Relations Principal Louis Bertolotti’s weekly report

— Congress had a busy week but didn’t take up any of NFIB’s bills. The federal government remains in a partial government shutdown over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

— NFIB released updated talking points for the Credit Card Competition Act and Swipe Fees.

— The 82nd episode of the “Small Business Rundown” podcast was released. Tim Goodrich, Dawn McVea, and Nathan Humphrey, from NFIB’s State Government Relations team, discussed trending state legislative issues and their impact on federal legislation

Next Main Street Minute: March 16. All Main Streets Minutes can be found on the NFIB website here. Pull down the California tab in the upper-right-hand corner.