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November 9, 2023

Corporate Transparency Act: Companies to Report Beneficial Owner Information for Enhanced Financial Security starting January 1, 2024

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Starting on January 1 2024, your company may be required to report information about the people who own or control it to the US Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). FinCEN promotes national security and protects the US financial system from fraud and abuse by criminals and corrupt officials.

Many corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States will likely be required to report their beneficial ownership information to FinCEN. There are 23 categories of those entities that may be exempt including some types of larger companies, banks, credit unions, tax exempt entities registered with the IRS, and public utilities.

Per the employment law attorneys at Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

“A reporting company will need to furnish various details, including its legal name and any trade name or Doing Business As (DBA), its address, the jurisdiction in which it was formed or first registered (depending on whether it’s a U.S. or foreign company), and its Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).”

Click here to read more about this new rule and how it may apply to your business.

Be sure to visit the US Treasury FinCen website for resources.

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

January 3, 2023

Pay Transparency Law

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As of January 1, 2023, California employers upon request must provide pay scale information to employees and applicants for the position the employee is working. Employers with 15 or more employees must include pay scale information for the position in job postings. Employers with 100 or more employees must also report number of employees by race, ethnicity and sex by pay bands and job categories.

Employers should prepare accordingly by reviewing their HR policies related to salary data and making sure they have clear policies regarding confidentiality of this information among employees.

January 3, 2023

Minimum Wage Increase January 1, 2023 ($15.50 Per Hour For All California Employers)

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On January 1, 2023, California’s minimum wage increased by $.50 to $15.50 per hour. Certain cities, including the City of Los Angeles is $16.04 per hour and Unincorporated Los Angeles County is $15.90 per hour.

This is the first of a series of annual increases that will bring up California’s minimum as inflation and CPI increase.

The new minimum wage applies to all employees who work in California for employers subject to both federal and state laws.

Per the employment law attorneys at Chase Law Group (a Lomita Chamber member):

“Employers must pay their employees pursuant to whichever law affords employees the highest minimum wage. Also increases in the state minimum wage requires that exempt employees must be paid twice the state minimum wage for full-time employment (40 hours per week). Therefore, as of January 1, 2023, most exempt salaried workers must be paid no less than $64,480 to retain exempt status.”

Should you have any questions regarding your company’s employment law concerns, contact an employment attorney for guidance.

December 21, 2022

2023 Board of Directors Announcement

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The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 Board of Directors and Officers and will welcome five new members to be seated at its January Board meeting and recognized at the Installation Gala on January 26, 2023.

Jennifer Olvera, of Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park, will serve as Chair of the Board, Tracy Maestro of California Water Service has been named Chair-Elect, Paris Chevalier of South Bay Credit Union will continue to serve as Treasurer, and Heidi Butzine of Social Workplace and Lomita Chamber will serve as Immediate Past Chair/Secretary for a one-year term.

“The past three years have proven the strength and relevancy of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce since we started as an entirely new organization,” said Jennifer Olvera, incoming Chair of the Board. “I look forward to following the excellent leadership from our Board and our other volunteers who serve unselfishly, and who are dedicated to our community to protect and promote a business-friendly environment.”

Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park | Chair of the Board

Tracy Maestro, California Water Service | Chair-Elect

Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union | Treasurer

Heidi Butzine, Social Workplace | Immediate Past Chair/Secretary

The three joining the Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2023, are Danielle Boujikian of Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Victor Ibarra of So Cal Gas and Sharon Shapiro-Fox of Athens Services.

The two new members who will serve a one-year term are Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions and Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board.

Danielle Boujikian, Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Victor Ibarra, SoCalGas

Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services

Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board

The Chamber Board also acknowledged that Jennifer Olvera of Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park, and Teresa Workman of Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co. will serve a second three-year term on the board.

Board members continuing to serve their terms include Erik Bowman, Localista Media; Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry; and Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Insurance Agent. Also on the board as a non-voting ex officio member is the City of Lomita liaison currently served by Mark Waronek.

“We’re happy to have a diverse group of businesses and organizations on our Board to build upon the strength of the previous year, with the knowledge and experience our Board provides,” said Heidi Butzine, President & CEO. “As a member focused nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteers to make our work possible. Business leaders who agree to serve on the Chamber Board share a commitment to creating an environment where all can thrive.”

Erik Bowman, Localista Media

Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry

Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Insurance Agent

Teresa Workman, Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co.

Mark Waronek (Ex Officio Liaison), City of Lomita

The 2023 Lomita Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Danielle Boujikian, Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Erik Bowman, Localista Media

Heidi Butzine, Social Workplace and Lomita Chamber*

Paris Chevalier, South Bay Credit Union*

Mark Hardaway, EcoSpin/Happy Nest Laundry

Victor Ibarra, So Cal Gas

Jeff Koven, Koven Video Productions

Tracy Maestro, California Water Service*

Jennifer Olvera, Coastal Funeral Center/Green Hills Memorial Park*

Tabitha Pennington, State Farm Agent

Sharon Shapiro-Fox, Athens Services

Jan Vogel, South Bay Workforce Investment Board

Teresa Workman, Workman + Kemp Real Estate Co.

Mark Waronek (ex officio liaison), City of Lomita

*Indicates Executive Board Member

The 2023 Board of Directors will focus on critical issues for the Lomita Chamber of Commerce membership and business community, including providing valuable resources for member businesses, keeping members informed, connected, and prosperous, advancing community excellence, and maintaining organizational sustainability.

Lomita Chamber Health & Wellness Fair 2022 (IG)

March 14, 2022

Health For All Ages – May 1, 2022 in Lomita

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On behalf of the Lomita Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee, we’re excited to announce a free community event, Health For All Ages to be held on Sunday, May 1st 2022 at the Lomita City Hall Front Lawn (10am to 2pm). Health For All Ages is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to learn more about your organization, connect with you and the work you’re doing in our community.

Organized by the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee, this fun outdoor event will offer access to learn more about the numerous resources available to keep our community healthy and well. Scheduled on-stage fitness demonstrations and youth performances will be held throughout the day. We hope to have members of our Community Emergency Response, Fire and Sheriff representatives as well.

We invite you to consider sponsorship of this event. As a Sponsor, you are publicly supporting community awareness and access to a diverse offering of top-quality health and wellness resources and organizations. The Health & Wellness Fair not only allows you to increase your organization’s brand reach, but also provides you opportunities for personal interaction with our event attendees.

We anticipate 200+ in attendance (50+ vendors) for this event including the families, youth and the active aging community. Sponsors and exhibitors are encouraged to invite others, fans, followers, clients and offer special event give-aways, health and wellness information, health screenings and more to increase awareness about the services or resources you offer, and how your organization can improve the health and wellness of our community.

Please refer to the Sponsorship Opportunities and Vendor Booth information on the benefits to your organization.

(Vendor/Exhibitor booth registration is now closed.)

Sponsorship Opportunities

March 4, 2022

Mask Mandates & Vaccination Verification: LA County Health Officer Order (Effective March 4, 2022)

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The Los Angeles County Responding Together at Work and In the Community – Post Winter Surge Community Monitoring and Continued Response Measures Health Officer Order has been updated (Issued Thursday, March 3, 2022. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022). Changes are highlighted in yellow on the document:

Revised to align with the February 28, 2022 State Public Health Officer Guidance on Masking.
After March 11, the universal masking requirement of K-12 Schools and Childcare settings will terminate. Both CDPH and County Public Health continue to strongly recommend that individuals in these settings continue to mask while indoors until transmission rates are much lower.
Masks continue to be required for indoor settings with higher risks for transmission: Public Transit, Transportation Hubs, All Healthcare Settings, including Long Term Care and Adult and Senior Care Facilities, Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers, Homeless Shelters, and Emergency Shelters.
Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in other indoor public settings and businesses. Well-fitting medical masks or respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, and KF94s) are highly recommended.
In settings where masks are strongly recommended, businesses, venue operators, and hosts may choose to require masking, regardless of vaccination status, by patrons, visitors, attendees, and workers as a strategy to reduce the risk of transmission at their site(s).
Pre-entry vaccination or recent negative test verification for attendees is recommended, but not required, for Outdoor Mega Event operators.
Pre-entry vaccination verification or recent negative test verification for patrons and employees is recommended, but not required, for Bars, Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, Nightclubs and Lounges.
Employers are required to offer medical grade masks or respirators to employees who work indoors and in contact with other workers, customers, or members of the public in settings where there is optional masking.
In settings where pre-entry verification of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 viral test result is not required, businesses, venue operators, and hosts may choose to require pre-entry verification of COVID-19 vaccination, pre-entry verification of a negative COVID-19 viral test result, or both as an additional, important strategy to reduce transmission at their site(s), regardless of masking.
As a reminder, no person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.
Local government entities and businesses may continue to have additional and more protective infection control requirements.

Other pertinent information and resources can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

March 1, 2022

Business Services & Assistance for Job Creation and Facade Improvement Forgivable Loans

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The City of Lomita in partnership with the Lomita Chamber of Commerce and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) invite you to attend this informational webinar.

The Business Services and Assistance Webinar about Job Creation and Facade Improvement forgivable loans.

When: Tuesday, March 8th
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Virtual event
RSVP: https://bit.ly/3ryPCDk

Applications accepted through March 7 – April 21, 2022.
Visit www.lomitacity.com for more information on the application process.
Additionally, hear details about SBWIB’s no cost business services to help your business grow and succeed.

Lomita Chamber Employment Law March 2022

March 1, 2022

2022 Employment Law Update Webinar

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Webinar: 2022 Employment Law Update

Are you familiar with new regulations affecting your business?
Do you know if you’re in compliance with the latest laws?
There are many changes in employment law requirements for businesses of all sizes.

Learn from legal experts about new laws at the state and federal level that employers must comply with in 2022.

In this informative program, business attorney DeAnn Chase and employment law attorney Scott Liner will provide the latest on 2022 employment laws.

The program will cover: current Covid-19 leaves, benefits and obligations, minimum wage laws, retirement savings plans/CalSavers mandate for employers with 5+ employees, amendments to AB 5 (Dynamex) and the use of independent contractors in the workplace.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by the legal experts.

Chase Law Group is an award-winning full-service law firm supporting businesses with a wide range of practice areas to protect business and personal and proprietary assets. The firm provides legal services throughout Southern California with an emphasis on business law and employment law.

FREE For Members with a current active membership in the Lomita Chamber of Commerce (or a fellow South Bay Chamber of Commerce)
$10 for Guests

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at 12pm to 1pm via Zoom.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Lomita Chamber Call for Vendors Health For All Ages 2022

February 24, 2022

Call for Vendors at Lomita Health & Wellness Fair

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VENDOR REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

BE SURE TO COME ON OUT ON MAY 1ST AND ENJOY THE DAY WITH US!

Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Where: Lomita City Hall
24300 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717

Health For All Ages is free to attend and open to the public! It is a wonderful opportunity to visit with dozens of health and wellness-related vendors, purchase wellness-related products, gather information, and much more.

February 24, 2022

Changes to Mask Mandates: Revised County Health Officer Order

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Revised County Health Officer Order February 23, 2022

The Los Angeles County Responding Together at Work and In the Community Health Officer Order has been updated (Issued Wed., February 23, 2022. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022). Changes are highlighted in yellow on the document:

In light of decreasing case and test positivity rates and hospitalizations, this Order creates elective criteria for establishments, businesses, and venues to voluntarily implement to exempt either of the following from the indoor masking requirement:
Option #1 – all fully vaccinated customers, visitors and onsite workers or Option #2 – just fully vaccinated customers and visitors.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons must continue to wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings.
Please see the following documents for more information on the Interim Indoor Masking Policy:

Fact Sheet Interim Indoor Masking
FAQ Interim Indoor Masking
Overview of Interim Indoor Masking Policy
Business Toolkit for Masks

Other pertinent information and resources can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

If you need resources or support, please contact the Chamber at hi@lomitachamber.org. We are working with our Local, County, State and other leaders and Partners to provide information and help.

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Webinar: 2022 Employment Law Update

VENDOR REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

BE SURE TO COME ON OUT ON MAY 1ST AND ENJOY THE DAY WITH US!

Thank You Chamber Partners & Sustaining Members