Brief

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez introduced a motion to explore amending the Los Angeles City Charter to expand small business preferences in city procurement. The motion directs staff to prepare a potential ballot measure for the November 2026 general election. It remains pending in both the Economic Development and Jobs Committee and the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, with the latter continuing the item in May 2026 without a scheduled hearing date.

Full summary

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, seconded by Eunisses Hernandez, introduced this motion on August 19, 2025, growing out of a broader Charter reform effort launched by the Council in December 2023. As part of that earlier process, the Board of Public Works recommended adding a Small Business Preference to the City Charter, and this file picks up that recommendation directly. The motion argues that small businesses are central to job creation, economic mobility, and neighborhood investment, yet face structural disadvantages in competing for City contracts — including limited financial resources, staffing, and access to procurement opportunities compared to larger firms. The motion directs the Chief Legislative Analyst, working with the Bureau of Contract Administration, the Economic and Workforce Development Department, and the City Attorney, to draft proposed Charter language creating a Small Business Preference in city contracting. Critically, the motion specifies that any such preference must include restrictions mirroring those already attached to the existing Local Bidder Preference — meaning businesses outside Los Angeles County or the State of California would not qualify. Those restrictions are designed to keep the preference compliant with state and federal law, shield the City from legal challenges, and ensure fairness in contracting. Staff are also directed to recommend whether the change requires a ballot measure, with the November 2026 General Election identified as the target vehicle if one is needed. The file was referred to the Economic Development and Jobs Committee and the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee upon introduction. The Westside Neighborhood Council submitted a community impact statement in September 2025. The Rules committee scheduled and then continued the item in May 2026 without setting a new hearing date, meaning the measure remains in committee review and has not advanced to a full Council vote. For the proposal to reach voters in November 2026, it would need to clear both committees, pass the full Council, and meet ballot filing deadlines. As of the most recent activity, that path remains open but unresolved.

Activity (4)

• 2026-05-14 Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee continued item to date to be determined.
• 2026-05-13 Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on May 14, 2026.
• 2025-09-11 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.
• 2025-08-19 Motion referred to Economic Development and Jobs Committee; Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

Documents (3)

• 2026-05-14 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2025-09-11 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council · cis
• 2025-08-19 Motion · motion