Rialto Small Business Update: Week of September 21, 2026
Rialto Small Business Update: Week of September 21, 2026
Every week, the Rialto Chamber of Commerce rounds up the local news, state regulations, and events that actually matter to small business owners — no fluff, just what you need to know. Here's what's on our radar this week.
Legislative & Regulatory Watch
Governor Newsom has until September 30 to act on a stack of new bills. California's Legislature wrapped its session on August 31, and every bill it passed becomes law automatically unless the Governor signs or vetoes it by September 30, 2026 — just days away. Several of these would directly affect how you run your business:
SB 690 – relief from CIPA "pen register" lawsuits. If your website uses a chat widget, analytics pixel, or session-replay tool, this one's worth watching. Over 4,000 lawsuits have been filed under the 1967 California Invasion of Privacy Act against businesses for routine website tracking — plumbers, restaurants, and solar installers have gotten $10,000–$25,000+ demand letters with no proven harm done. SB 690 would eliminate most of these private lawsuits and hand enforcement to the Attorney General instead. It passed the Legislature on August 28 and now awaits signature; if signed, it takes effect January 1, 2027.
A batch of employment bills, same September 30 deadline. If enacted, here's what would change for employers:
AB 1803 – adds anti-hate-speech content to required harassment training (5+ employees; effective 2028).
AB 1940 – adds perimenopause/menopause to sex-discrimination protections; new posters required by mid-2027.
SB 1149 – lets employees name a "designated person" for up to 5 days of bereavement leave.
AB 1883 / AB 1331 – restrict AI monitoring of emotional/neural data at work and ban restroom surveillance, with penalties up to $500 per violation.
SB 947 ("No Robo Bosses Act") – requires a human to review any AI-driven decision to discipline or fire an employee.
AB 2495 – expands anti-retaliation protections tied to immigration status, with penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
Bottom line: if you lean on AI tools for hiring, scheduling, or performance management, or handle harassment training and leave policy in-house, put a reminder on your calendar to check back once the Governor acts.
Minimum wage climbs to $17.40/hour on January 1, 2027. This is the state's annual inflation adjustment, now certified by the Department of Finance. It also raises the minimum salary for exempt employees to $72,384/year. If your city sets a higher local minimum wage, that rate still wins — but everyone needs to update wage postings and pay stubs when the new rate lands.
Already signed (September 14): professional licensing updates. New rules now apply to occupational therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic, barbering/cosmetology, and speech-language pathology licensing, plus "sellers of travel" businesses. Also signed: SB 1435, conforming California tax law to certain federal changes — worth a mention to your accountant before year-end planning.
Local & State News
Rialto's Five-Year Road Improvement Plan is underway. City Council adopted a Measure I-funded capital plan running through FY 2030-31, covering widening on Locust/Linden and Lilac/Summit avenues, the Riverside Avenue "Smart Corridor," a Pacific Electric Trail extension, new signals at Cactus and Easton, and citywide signal/crossing upgrades. If your storefront sits along any of these corridors, expect periodic construction impacts on access and parking over the next few years — the My Rialto app is the place to report issues as work progresses.
CDBG/housing performance report closed for comment this week. The City Council held its hearing on the draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) on September 22, covering how Rialto spent federal Community Development Block Grant and housing funds in FY 2025-26. Same funding pool that backs local façade-improvement and small-business assistance programs — worth a look if you're eyeing CDBG-backed help next cycle.
Free one-on-one help via San Bernardino County's BizHUUB portal. The County's no-cost platform connects entrepreneurs with local consultants (English/Spanish) on websites, branding, financial reviews, and tax organization — bookable 24/7 at your own pace. If a website refresh or financial check-up has been on the back burner, this removes the budget excuse. Access it at myhuub.com/selectsbcounty.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Rialto Chamber of Commerce & Women's Club Paint and Sip — Saturday, September 26, 2:00–5:00 PM. A relaxed chamber mixer — good excuse to meet fellow local business owners.
Viva la Fiesta 2026 — Saturday, September 26, Rialto City Park. The city's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, with performances, family activities, and carnival entertainment. Extra foot traffic near the park that day — worth factoring into weekend staffing if you're nearby.
San Bernardino County "State of the County" — Thursday, October 8, Ontario Convention Center. The county's flagship business/government event, drawing 1,300+ attendees, themed this year around Route 66's 100th anniversary with panels featuring local entrepreneurs. Tickets $50 at SelectSBCounty.com — a solid venue if you're looking to network beyond Rialto.
Ongoing: Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. No-cost, one-on-one advising through Cal State San Bernardino's SBDC network — financing questions, business plans, government contracting guidance. Reach the Orange County/Inland Empire SBA district network at (800) 616-7232.
Check back next week for the latest. Have a tip, event, or business milestone we should feature? Let us know.
