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Panel approves SB 263 to study statewide impacts of tariffs on California businesses and consumers
Summary
SB 263 would direct state agencies to study the economic impacts of tariffs on California’s imports, exports, workers and consumers; the committee moved the bill forward after broad stakeholder support (committee recorded vote indicated passage).
Sen. Gonzales introduced SB 263, which would direct the state Transportation Agency, in coordination with the Department of Finance and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO‑Biz), to conduct a study on the impacts of tariffs on California’s economy.
Gonzales said California handled over $800 billion in imports and exports in the prior year and warned that tariffs imposed without strategic planning could raise costs for families, harm workers and disrupt supply chains for sectors ranging from agriculture to manufacturing. Supporters — including the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the California Grocers Association, trucking and ports representatives, and the California Chamber of Commerce — urged a comprehensive, data‑driven study that would look at baseline pre‑tariff conditions and model potential scenarios including reciprocal tariffs and other trade barriers.
Witnesses said the study should quantify impacts on jobs, state and local tax revenue, consumer prices and supply‑chain resilience. Sponsors and industry representatives asked that the study examine both import and export effects and compare scenarios to the pre‑tariff baseline so policymakers can design mitigation measures. The committee recorded passage to the relevant policy committee; on the roll call the measure was recorded as reported out of committee (final committee scoring and roll call recorded on the record).
