Rialto Chamber of Commerce Business Update

Covers news from roughly the past week, as of October 5, 2026.

A free resource for Chamber members — especially small business owners — on legislative changes, local and state news, and upcoming events that affect how you run your business.

Legislative & Regulatory Watch

Newsom signs a 7-bill small business package (September 30, 2026). The Governor signed a package of bills aimed at cutting red tape and protecting small businesses from unfair competition. The highlights:

• AB 1679 — cities must now allow "pop-up" businesses to operate in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days, making it easier to test a concept or fill empty retail space.

• AB 1693 — speeds up plan-check approvals for retail tenant improvements, so build-outs move faster.

• AB 2418 — lets cities use qualified third-party plan checkers to clear permitting backlogs for non-residential projects.

• AB 1776 — updates the state's antitrust law (the Cartwright Act) to give small businesses more tools against monopolistic practices that shut out competition.

• AB 685 — expands funding for free technical-assistance providers (the kind of groups that help with business plans, financing applications, and licensing).

• AB 2663 — extends the ability for restaurants and bars to sell cocktails to-go.

• AB 2116 — new consumer-style protections against predatory business financing (see below for detail).

Why it matters: if you've been waiting on a permit, considering a pop-up location, or thinking about expansion, several of these remove real friction. Governor's press release

Spotlight: AB 2116 creates a licensing system for commercial financing providers and brokers. If you've ever used (or been pitched) a merchant cash advance, invoice factoring, or another alternative business financing product, this is the bill to know. It requires anyone who provides or brokers that kind of financing to California small businesses to get licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) — with background checks, bonding, and a minimum net worth requirement. The framework takes effect January 1, 2028, with a hard licensing deadline of July 1, 2028; after that, funding a California business without a license can make the financing agreement unenforceable. It's a multi-year runway, but worth knowing now if financing brokers contact you — ask whether they'll be licensed. Coverage via FunderIntel

Look ahead: California's minimum wage rises to $17.40/hour on January 1, 2027. The state confirmed the new rate (up from $16.90 in 2026) in late August, tied to the required inflation adjustment. If you employ hourly staff, this is the number to build into 2027 budgeting now — and remember some cities and industries (fast food, healthcare) have separate, higher minimums. Details via SHRM

Reminder: Q3 sales and use tax returns are due October 31. If you file quarterly with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), your July–September return and payment are due by the end of the month. CDTFA filing dates

Local & State News

San Bernardino County's job market is mixed, with healthcare up and logistics cooling. The county's most recent employment snapshot (July 2026) put unemployment at 5.5% — down from 6.0% a year earlier, but up slightly from June. Healthcare has been the standout, adding more than 18,000 jobs across the Inland Empire over the past year, while the region's warehousing and logistics sector — long the Inland Empire's growth engine — has been contracting. For small businesses, this cuts two ways: healthcare-adjacent services have room to grow, while businesses dependent on warehouse-worker foot traffic or spending may want to keep an eye on the trend. Report via Victor Valley News

The City of Rialto has a public hearing notice open on its Draft One-Year Action Plan for 2026–2027. This is the annual plan that sets priorities for the city's federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which includes an economic development/microenterprise assistance category alongside housing and infrastructure. If you want a say in how those dollars get prioritized, check the notice for the comment period and hearing date. City of Rialto notice

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• Rialto Chamber Open House/Mixer — Wednesday, October 7, 5:00–7:00 PM, at Century Flooring & Decor, 216 S Riverside Ave, Rialto. A good low-key networking opportunity with fellow members. Chamber events

• Rise and Shine with the Chamber — Wednesday, October 14, 7:30–9:30 AM, at the Rialto Chamber office, 120 N Riverside Ave, Rialto. The Chamber's regular morning networking meeting. Chamber events

• Rialto Walk & Roll 2026 — Saturday, October 17, check-in 8:00 AM, walk starts 9:00 AM, Rialto City Park (130 E San Bernardino Ave). An inaugural community fundraiser hosted by IHelpIE and the Rialto Host Lions Club to fight senior isolation in the Inland Empire. The organizers are looking for vendors, sponsors, and volunteers — a nice visibility opportunity for Chamber businesses that want to show up for the community. Reach out to the Chamber or the organizers if you'd like to participate.

• West Valley America's Job Center Hiring Event — Wednesday, October 14, Rancho Cucamonga. If you're hiring, this is a free way to connect with local job seekers; it's run through the state's America's Job Center network. EDD Job Fairs & Workshops

• Mark your calendar: Q3 sales and use tax due October 31 (see Legislative Watch above).

Have news or an event you'd like included in next week's update? Let your Chamber know.