SHRM California Members Elevate the Voice of HR in Sacramento

On April 23, SHRM and SHRM California hosted their 2025 California Advocacy Day in Sacramento, bringing together nearly 100 HR professionals from across the state for a full afternoon of direct engagement with state lawmakers and staff. Held in conjunction with the California State HR Advocacy and Legislative Conference, this annual event empowers SHRM members to share their real-world experience and influence public policy affecting California’s workplaces.

SHRM members met with California legislators and staff to elevate the HR profession’s voice on three of SHRM’s top policy priorities:

• Workplace Surveillance and Employee Privacy: Members urged opposition to Assembly Bill 1221, which would impose sweeping restrictions on the use of common workplace surveillance tools. SHRM expressed concern that the bill’s overly broad definitions and complex compliance mandates would hinder operational efficiency and expose employers, especially small and midsize businesses, to unnecessary legal risk.
• AI Regulations and Workplace Impact: Members raised significant concerns about AB 1018 and Senate Bill 7, both of which seek to regulate the use of automated decision systems (ADS) in employment. While SHRM supports responsible AI use, these proposals risk stifling innovation and could undermine tools that help HR teams reduce bias and improve hiring outcomes.
• Developing the NextGen Workforce: SHRM members voiced strong support for AB 386 and SB 845, which would expand employer-provided student loan repayment assistance, increase access to career and technical education, and create more apprenticeship pathways for California workers’ critical steps toward closing the state’s skills gap and preparing the workforce for the future

Through direct engagement with lawmakers, SHRM members demonstrated a core belief held by SHRM Government Affairs: Effective workplace policy must be grounded in real-world experience. Whether in Sacramento or statehouses across the country, HR professionals play a vital role in shaping legislation that is practical, forward-thinking, and responsive to the needs of both employers and workers.

Are you a SHRM member or volunteer leader interested in organizing your own advocacy day? Contact SHRM Government Affairs at governmentaffairs@shrm.org to get involved and help elevate the voice of HR in your state.