LA Council Watch

Economic Development and Jobs Committee

9 files

26-0600-S59 · 2026-07-08

2026 Budget Recommendation / R37 / Community Investment / American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) / Jobs and Economic Development Incentive (JEDI) Zones / Legacy Business / Future Funding / Economic Development Programs / Expand Good Food Zones Pilot Program

Budget recommendation allocating American Rescue Plan funds to expand the Good Food Zones pilot program and support economic development initiatives.

Pending — this budget plan to direct federal pandemic relief toward food access and job-creation programs in underserved neighborhoods is waiting for the Economic Development Committee to weigh in before Council can vote on it.

23-0932 · 2026-06-26

Office of Wage Standards (OWS) / Claims Enforcement / Wage Theft / Violations / Overtime / Meal Break / Rest Break / Late Pay / Tips and Gratuities

Council expands Office of Wage Standards enforcement powers for wage theft, overtime, meal breaks, and tips; adopted by Council June 2026 with one amendment.

Approved — the City Council voted to strengthen wage enforcement powers against theft that costs low-wage workers an estimated $1.4 billion annually, and the City Attorney is now drafting the required ordinances to put the new rules in place.

26-0743 · 2026-06-16

Strengthening Second Chance Employment Through City Contracting / Comprehensive Implementation Framework / Executive Directive 20

LA will require city contractors to hire people with criminal records through a new second-chance employment framework, moving through committees now.

Under review — the city is working to require contractors to hire people with criminal records as a condition of city work, aiming to reduce recidivism and expand job access. It's passed two committees and heads to a full council vote.

26-0683 · 2026-06-16

Boyle Heights Industrial Flats Business Improvement District (Property Based) / Establishment / 2027-2031

Proposal to establish a five-year Business Improvement District in Boyle Heights Industrial Flats, now pending committee review.

Under review — the city is developing a plan to create a Business Improvement District in Boyle Heights Industrial Flats for 2027–2031, but the Economic Development Committee has postponed its hearing without rescheduling, indicating negotiations or more work is still needed.

26-0426 · 2026-06-15

Workforce Impact Report (WIR) / Labor Research Center / Operational Framework City Charter

Proposal to establish a Workforce Impact Report framework and Labor Research Center to assess city policy effects on employment.

Under review — the city is designing a new labor research center to track how city policies affect jobs and working conditions, but two committees are still working through questions about its scope, funding, and how it fits into city government.

19-0229-S2 · 2026-06-03

Los Angeles Fair Work Week Ordinance / Protections Expansion / Fast Food Business Employees / In-Person Training / Paid Time Off

Los Angeles expanded its Fair Work Week Ordinance in April 2025 to require fast food employers provide advance schedules, paid time off, and training compensation.

Approved — the city expanded worker protections for fast food employees, including advance scheduling and paid time off, and the ordinance passed Council in April 2025. A follow-up analyst report is now under committee review.

26-0828 · 2026-06-03

Convention and Tourism Department / Convention Center / Comprehensive Work Plan / Marketing and Outreach Strategy

Councilmember Padilla directs the Convention and Tourism Department to create a work plan and marketing strategy for the LA Convention Center.

Under review — the city wants the Convention and Tourism Department to create a detailed work plan and marketing strategy for the Los Angeles Convention Center. It's now with the Economic Development Committee, waiting for their feedback before the department can move forward.

14-1371-S18 · 2026-05-27

Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance (HWMWO) / Hotel Operators Space / Food and Beverage Services / Primary Function / Not Covered or Applicable

Councilmember Lee proposes to clarify which hotel workers and food/beverage operations qualify for minimum wage protections; currently pending committee review.

Under review — the city is considering whether to exempt independently operated restaurants and bars inside hotels from higher wage requirements that apply to other hotel employers, citing competitive pressures on tenant operators, though the move is likely to face pushback from labor advocates.

23-1027-S12 · 2026-05-14

Small Business Preference / City Charter / Potential Ballot Measure / November 2026 General Election

Proposal to amend City Charter to strengthen small business preference in city contracting, potentially on November 2026 ballot.

Under review — the City is drafting Charter language to give small businesses a preference in city contracting, but the proposal is stalled in committee without a scheduled hearing date and would need to clear both committees and the full Council to reach voters in November 2026.