Governor Newsom signs new laws to help restaurant owners keep California cooking
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~ Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a step towards helping restaurant owners in California by signing two new laws that aim to cut red tape and regulations in the industry. These bills were developed with input from restaurant owners and were signed at the locally owned restaurant, Joyce, in Downtown Los Angeles.

The Governor believes that restaurants are not just great places to eat but also the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and vital to California's economy. With the ongoing impact of the Trump administration's economic failures, these new laws aim to support small businesses and ensure that local favorites can continue to thrive.

California is home to over 4.2 million small businesses, which account for more than 99.9% of the state's total businesses. These businesses employ over 7 million people, making up nearly half of the state's private sector workforce. The state has also seen significant growth in small businesses, with an average of over 20,400 new businesses being created per month from 2019-2024.

Restaurants make up a large portion of these small businesses, with over 86,000 locations statewide. The restaurant industry is also the largest private employer in California, creating more than 1.8 million jobs and generating over $220 billion in sales.

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The two bills signed by Governor Newsom aim to continue this entrepreneurial spirit and growth by providing additional support for restaurant owners. The first bill, AB 592 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), cuts red tape and provides greater flexibility for outdoor dining. This will allow open-kitchen restaurants to take advantage of California's exceptional climate by permitting windows, folding doors, or non-fixed storefronts for outdoor dining options.

Assemblymember Gabriel stated that neighborhood restaurants are the backbone of communities across California but many are struggling due to inflation and economic headwinds. He believes that this new law will provide much-needed support for these cherished small businesses.

The second bill signed by the Governor, AB 671 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), aims to help small restaurants open and grow faster by cutting unnecessary red tape while still maintaining critical health and safety protections. This bill creates a voluntary, expedited path for permitting small, independent restaurants seeking to retrofit existing spaces. It allows licensed architects and engineers to self-certify simple plans while still requiring all necessary inspections and safety checks.

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Assemblymember Wicks believes that opening a restaurant in California has been a long and frustrating process due to endless hurdles. With the signing of AB 671, she hopes that it will be easier for small restaurateurs to turn their ideas into reality, bringing new energy to main streets while maintaining safety standards.

In addition to these new laws, Governor Newsom also announced that California has added over 30,000 megawatts of new clean energy and storage capacity since 2019. This milestone comes as the Trump administration continues to embrace dirty fossil fuels. The Governor also marked Latina Equal Pay Day by signing the Pay Equity Enforcement Act alongside First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. This act recognizes the unique challenges faced by Latina women in closing the wage gap.

Overall, these new laws and milestones show California's commitment to supporting small businesses and promoting clean energy while facing challenges from the federal government. Governor Newsom hopes that these efforts will help restaurant owners continue to thrive and support their local communities.

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