The California Chamber of Commerce released its annual Affordability Agenda on March 19, identifying new legislative proposals that could either increase or decrease costs for businesses and consumers in the state.
The agenda is significant as it highlights how proposed legislation may affect the cost of living and doing business in California. The chamber identified nine new bills as ‘Cost Drivers’—those expected to raise costs—and two as ‘Cost Cutters,’ which are anticipated to reduce expenses. Additional bills will be added to both lists in the coming weeks, including some from over 600 recently introduced measures with placeholder language.
Bills are selected based on their potential economic impact and the effect they may have on Californians and their families. “No bill in the California Legislature should come up for a vote this year without taking stock of its impact on our state’s affordability crisis,” said Jennifer Barrera, president and chief executive officer of the California Chamber of Commerce. “The Affordability Agenda reflects the best and worst of the proposals we’ve seen so far. Hard-working Californians deserve to know whether their elected representatives are prioritizing prosperity.”
This marks the second year for the Affordability Agenda, which builds upon more than twenty-five years of annual lists by the chamber that identify legislation affecting job growth and retention. The agenda now also considers regulatory burdens and incentives for economic growth. In 2025, all but one bill labeled a Cost Driver failed to advance.
The California Chamber of Commerce serves employers across California with statewide representation and influence, according to the official website. The organization seeks to create a positive business environment that promotes job creation and economic growth in California, per its official website. Barrera has served as president and chief executive officer of the chamber, according to its official website.
The chamber has influenced major legislation through its Job Killer and Job Creator lists, as reported by its official website. It also provides compliance resources, human resources tools, and legal updates to support member businesses throughout California, according to information from its official website.
