Rialto Chamber of Commerce — Weekly Business Update

Week of October 12, 2026 — covering developments from roughly the past week, plus the most relevant state and local items small business owners need on their radar right now.

Legislative & Regulatory Watch

Labor Commissioner announces $272.5 million misclassification settlement with Lyft (October 1, 2026) California's Labor Commissioner's Office secured a record-setting $272.5 million settlement (plus interest) with Lyft over drivers allegedly misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees between April 2016 and December 2020 — denying them minimum wage, overtime, rest-break premiums, expense reimbursement, and paid sick leave. Roughly 87% of the money goes directly to drivers. The settlement doesn't change requirements for other businesses or cover work after Proposition 22 took effect in 2020, but it's a timely reminder for any Rialto business that uses contractors, delivery drivers, cleaners, or other gig workers to double-check how those workers are classified under California's ABC test. Source: DIR News Release 2026-78

Cal/OSHA reissues heat-safety reminder for employers (October 2, 2026) With late-season heat continuing across parts of the state, Cal/OSHA is again reminding employers — indoors and outdoors — that heat-illness-prevention requirements are still in force. Indoor workplaces (retail, restaurants, warehouses, manufacturing) must take protective steps once it hits 82°F: water, access to a cool-down area, training, and a written heat-illness-prevention plan, with extra attention for employees not yet acclimated to heat. Outdoor worksites have similar, longstanding requirements. Source: DIR News Release 2026-79

Sales & use tax deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026 The Q3 (July–September) sales and use tax return and payment, normally due October 31, moves to Monday, November 2, 2026 because the 31st falls on a Saturday. This applies to quarterly filers; monthly filers' September return is also due that date. Quarterly prepayment filers owe their October prepayment by November 24. Check your specific filing frequency with CDTFA — penalties apply even for a one-day miss. Source: CDTFA — Sales & Use Tax Returns Filing Dates

Local & State News

Rialto's council calendar is quiet this month Both regular Rialto City Council meetings this month — October 13 and October 27 — are currently showing as cancelled on the city's public calendar, with no agendas posted. The Planning Commission held its regular meeting on October 7. If you have a permitting or zoning matter pending before the city, confirm your item's status directly with City Hall rather than assuming a hearing date. Source: City of Rialto Legistar Calendar

Unemployment holds near historic lows statewide; San Bernardino County tracks slightly above the state average The state's August 2026 jobs report (released September 18) shows California's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate steady at 5.1% — its lowest level since December 2023, and down 0.4 points year-over-year. San Bernardino County's preliminary, not-seasonally-adjusted rate came in at 5.7% (labor force 1,020,600; employed 962,900), below neighboring Riverside County's 6.2%. For small employers, a tight-but-stable labor market means hiring competition continues, but there's no sign of a local downturn. Source: EDD — State's Unemployment Rate is Down 0.4 Percent Over the Year

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Rialto Chamber of Commerce event — Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 7:30–9:30 a.m. Held at the Chamber office, 120 N Riverside Ave, Rialto. The Chamber's calendar doesn't list a title or description beyond the date/time/location — call (909) 875-5364 to confirm the agenda and RSVP. Source: Rialto Chamber of Commerce — Events

AI Workshop — Thursday, October 15, 2026, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Hosted by Deskwolf and the Rialto Chamber of Commerce at 12 N Riverside Ave, Rialto. A practical look at applying AI tools in a small business context — useful for owners curious about automation, marketing, or customer service tools but unsure where to start. RSVP through the Chamber. Source: Rialto Chamber of Commerce — Events

Free one-on-one small business consulting The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, based at Cal State San Bernardino, offers no-cost consulting on financing, marketing, and operations. If you haven't used it yet, it's worth a call. Source: Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship — SBDC Team

Small Business Saturday — Saturday, November 28, 2026 Falling the day after Thanksgiving and between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is the annual nationwide push to shop local. With six weeks to go, now's the time to plan in-store specials, staffing, and any joint promotion the Chamber wants to run under a "Shop Small Rialto" banner. Source: National Today — Small Business Saturday 2026

Mark your calendar: Q3 sales tax deadline See the Legislative & Regulatory Watch section above — quarterly sales/use tax returns are due Monday, November 2, 2026.