Advocacy
Share your voice on the issues that impact your business.
We provide a platform where diverse small business owners can influence civic, social, and economic policies across California.
Engage and Participate
We engage in policy issues that impact California’s AAPI community and create opportunities for diverse small businesses.
Legislative Priorities
The CalAsian Chamber’s advocacy focuses on strengthening small and minority-owned businesses through targeted legislative actions and initiatives. Building upon our Core Policy Pillars, input from the Public Policy Committee, past achievements, and the current landscape, we aim to advance the following priorities with an unwavering focus on Small Businesses First. Small businesses make up 80–90% of California’s economy, and their success is vital to our state’s prosperity.
Small Businesses First in Economic and Workforce Development
Objective: To enhance technical assistance programs, improve access to capital, and increase small business utilization for small and minority-owned businesses.
Supporting Small Businesses: Advocate for policies that prioritize technical assistance, financial resources, and streamlined regulations to enable growth for small and minority-owned businesses. This includes leveraging our SBC and MBDA centers, promoting access to capital, enhancing lending transparency, and reducing regulatory burdens.
Advocate for AB 2262 (Reyes): Continue championing small business utilization through support for the reintroduction of AB 2262.
Proposed Sponsored Bills:
Local Procurement: Reintroduction of AB 2262: Local Small Business Utilization.
State Procurement: Subcontractor Prompt Payment Priority
Small Businesses First in Expanding Opportunities Through Education
Objective: To improve access to quality education and career pathways for minority communities.
Access to Quality Education: Support policies that ensure small business owners and their employees can access postsecondary education and workforce training opportunities.
Fostering Success in Minority Communities: Advocate for programs that address educational disparities and support targeted initiatives for underserved and underestimated populations, emphasizing their critical role in the economy.
Small Businesses First in Energy & Environmental Transitions
Objective: To ensure minority-owned businesses are included in the state’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Enabling a Just Transition: Ensure minority-owned small businesses participate in the renewable energy transition by advocating for partnerships, resource access, and adaptation strategies to thrive in the low-carbon economy.
Promoting Environmental Justice: Back initiatives that address inequities in green investments, ensuring underserved communities and small businesses reap the benefits of renewable energy developments.
Proposed Sponsored Bill:
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Infrastructure in Underserved and Underestimated Localities.
Small Businesses First in Improving Access to Healthcare
Objective: To improve healthcare access and affordability for small business owners and employees.
Affordable Healthcare for All: Champion inclusive healthcare policies that expand access and reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes for small business owners and their employees.
Supporting Employee Benefits: Push for initiatives that help small businesses provide affordable healthcare options to employees without compromising their financial stability.
Small Businesses First in Infrastructure Projects
Objective: To ensure minority-owned businesses benefit from state and federal infrastructure investments.
Inclusive Investments: Advocate for federal and state infrastructure funding that supports small and minority-owned businesses through technical assistance and access to resources.
Collaborative Guidance: Partner with experts to empower small businesses and communities to fully benefit from green infrastructure opportunities.
Proposed Sponsored Bill (see Small Businesses First in Energy & Environmental Transitions above):
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Infrastructure in Underserved and Underestimated Localities.
Small Business First in Advancing Technology Access and Innovation
Objective: To ensure minority-owned businesses have first access to AI and other emerging technologies.
Integration of Emerging Technologies: Shape the Chamber’s AI and technology strategies through our AI Committee, advocating for policies that help small businesses adopt emerging technologies, including AI.
Privacy and Security: Support legislation safeguarding the privacy and data security of small businesses, ensuring they remain protected in the digital age.
AI Legislation Leadership: Continue to identify key areas for AI-focused legislation and work with legislators to carry these priorities forward.
Public Policy Committee
Our Public Policy Committee helps guide the CalAsian Chamber’s stance on policy issues that impact diverse small business owners who access our suite of economic development services.
This year, the CalAsian Public Policy Committee consists of the following subcommittees: Business Advisory, Cannabis, Education & Workforce, Business Finance, Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Technology and Innovation.
Space at the Table Podcast
Listen to thought-provoking conversations with policymakers, where we tackle pressing issues in inclusive economic development and champion small business success in emerging sectors.
The CalAsian Chamber is an incredibly valuable partner to the API Legislative Caucus. The Chamber’s pulse on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and small business communities keep the Legislature and Caucus informed of on-the-ground needs to ensure these populations are heard in key policy discussions. I appreciate their leadership and look forward to our continued work together ensuring inclusive economic opportunities.
Assembly Member Evan Low
California State Assembly, District 28
2024 API Legislative Caucus Chair
As the first-ever Asian American woman to represent the Sacramento region in the Legislature and the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Elk Grove City Council, I recognize the power of representing the AAPI community in all spaces. This mission is shared by the Sacramento and California Asian Pacific Chambers of Commerce, which I have witnessed in action for many years – as the former Executive Director at Asian Resources, Inc. and during my term on the Elk Grove City Council. Both Chambers were staunch advocates for disadvantaged communities, mobilizing resources and driving inclusive economic development across the state. Their work expands opprtunities for small businesses through technical assistance and inclusive legislation which reflects California’s diversity. I look forward to working with both Chambers as an Assemblymember and member of the API Caucus.
Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen
California State Assembly, District 10
“Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are entrepreneurs and business leaders who had to overcome many barriers to achieve financial success. AAPI businesses have been hit especially hard during COVID19 as they faced both economic challenges as well as racism and xenophobia. As Chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus, I welcome CalAsian Chamber’s advocacy for AAPI and small business communities to create opportunities and economic growth in AAPI communities in our state. As a small business owner, I appreciate their support for entrepreneurs throughout California.”
Dr. Richard Pan
Former Senator California State Senate, District 6
California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (AAPILC)
Caucuses and Resources
Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Get Involved in the API Caucus
Downloads
Press Release
Assembly member David Chiu introduces the Economic Equity First Act of 2021
Read the Full Bill
Assembly member David Chiu introduces the Economic Equity First Act of 2021
Coalition Letter
Assembly member David Chiu introduces the Economic Equity First Act of 2021
Be The First to Know
Stay up-to-date on California legislation, chamber advocacy efforts, and learn how to get engaged.
