Articles, Newsletters & Misc.

Dear CALBO Friends and Colleagues,

It’s hard to believe summer is already winding down.  With that, I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy some of what makes California so special – whether that meant exploring our famed towns, spending time on our iconic coastline, or relaxing with family in your own backyard, it’s important to hit pause when we can.

While summer may offer a chance to recharge, things haven’t slowed down for CALBO.  Our Legislative Team has remained active and has been keeping a close eye on the final stretch of this year’s legislative session. As we all know, AB 130 – the budget trailer bill that contained the provisions from AB 306 and AB 750, has been on all our minds.  Without question, this bill is a headache – but not just for local building departments.  CALBO has continued to work directly with our state agency regulatory partners and implementation guidelines.  These will hopefully be available in the immediate weeks ahead from the California Building Standards Commission.  Please stay tuned.  If you haven’t yet caught Matt Wheeler’s monthly legislative briefings, I encourage you to check them out.  They’re a great way to stay current with legislative proposals – especially during this big year for housing legislation.  Click here to view them. 

Looking ahead, I hope you’ll join us this fall for CALBO’s Education Weeks in Burlingame and/or Costa Mesa.  Whether you’re planning to attend in person or joining us virtually, we’ve worked hard to ensure the experience is well worth your time.  For our virtual participants, live facilitators will be available to answer questions in real time.  And if you’re attending in person, I encourage you to take a few moments during the breaks to connect with our industry partners and explore the latest innovations and services.  You can find more details and registration information here.

Another exciting offering this fall is the Permit Technician Career Advancement Academy, now entering its third year.  This leadership resource was created by CALBO to strengthen the professional development of our counter technicians – those who play a vital role in building department operations.  On a side note, this academy and CALBO offering is particularly personal to me as I have been an active participant in its development.  With demand growing, we’re once again offering the Academy in both Burlingame and Costa Mesa.  A few spots are still available in each location – click here for more information.  

Of course, none of this happens without the hard work and dedication of many individuals.  I want to thank the California Training Institute (CTI) Commissioners for putting together a strong lineup of courses, as well as our instructors, facilitators and moderators who make the learning experience a valuable one.  And of course, a special thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors for your continued support year after year at our annual training events. 

Looking for additional professional development in the coming months?  Visit the CALBO calendar for the latest on all our current events, including the 64th Annual Business Meeting in Santa Clara (San Jose area), April 12-16, 2026.  Mark your calendars for this and stay tuned for more details.  Or better yet, if you have a programming idea for the meeting, please email it to info@calbo.org by September 2.  

As always, thank you for the work you do every day to protect our communities and to elevate our profession.  I look forward to seeing many of you this fall on the road.  Don’t hesitate to stop me in the hallways and say hello – I’m easy to find. 

Sincerely, 
Raj Patel

Hello, CALBO Members!

The stage is set for CALBO’s 63rd Annual Business Meeting from April 13-17. This year’s event is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, network and engage with the latest trends in building safety. Get ready for insightful sessions, hands-on workshops and numerous opportunities to connect with colleagues – all set against the iconic backdrop of Hollywood. 

I encourage you to explore the diverse ABM presentations and panels highlighting emerging trends such as AI integration in building operations, evolving code compliance, disaster response strategies and much more. In between sessions, take some time to explore our sold-out exhibitor program—you may discover an innovative new gadget or service. On Thursday, take advantage of the opportunity to earn CEUs by attending some of CALBO’s most popular training courses. 

Beyond the daily sessions, our ABM has also been a time to connect with your peers and celebrate the year’s accomplishments. Whether exploring Hollywood’s famed sights, participating in CALBO’s Annual Golf Tournament or networking with colleagues, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss Tuesday’s Stars & Strikes at Lucky Strike – a fun night of bowling, food and entertainment. A special thank you our sponsors for making it possible. On Wednesday, I hope you will join us for TropiCALBO night at the historic Roosevelt Hotel where we’ll be transported back to the glamorous era of the Cubano supper club – an evening of Old Hollywood charm, dancing and camaraderie. 

Looking beyond ABM, CALBO has an exciting year ahead. The CALBO Professional Engagement Committee, in collaboration with Diablo Valley College’s Workforce Development Team, will host its annual Virtual Career Expo on April 30th. This event connects students and job seekers with industry professionals, offering valuables insights into careers in building and safety. Building safety professionals are encouraged to volunteer and contribute – click here.

We will also welcome twenty-one building safety leaders into the 2025-2026 Building Officials Leadership Academy in Costa Mesa. We applaud their dedication as they take the next this significant step in their building safety careers. 

Our advocacy efforts in Sacramento remain in full swing. CALBO’s Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Wheeler, recently released an on-demand video presentation outlining the Legislative Committee’s March priority bills. On May 14th, join us in Sacramento for CALBO’s Annual Leadership and Advocacy Day. This free member benefit event gives you the opportunity to engage with legislators showcasing the work of your local building department, while forging relationships that benefit your community. To stay up to date on all legislative matters, including our bill report, click here. 

CALBO also continues to offer 2-hour live webinars year-round and will return this fall with our Annual Education Weeks in Burlingame (September 29 – October 2) and Costa Mesa (October 27 – 30). These hybrid events offer the flexibility of in person or virtual attendance, giving your staff multiple options to participate across multiple days in various ways. Not to worry – with the start of a new tri-annual code cycle, all courses will reflect the latest 2025 codes. Registration and course schedules will be available soon. 

As we move into the busy months ahead, I encourage you to invest in yourself, both personally and professionally. Doing so will enhance your ability to give back – to your family, community, industry, colleagues and CALBO as your professional hub. 

I hope to see you in Tinseltown next month!

Sincerely, 
Jeff Janes