LA County Board

19. Protecting Entertainment Jobs: Evaluating the Economic Impact of the Purchase of Warner Bros. Recommendation as submitted by Supervisor Horvath: Suspend Section 22.1 of the Rules of the Board for the limited purpose of considering this motion. Instruct the Director of Economic Opportunity, in collaboration with the Acting Chief Executive Officer and any other relevant County Departments and stakeholders, to report back to the Board in writing in 60 days with an interim report back and 120 days with a final report back on the economic impact of the proposed purchase on the Los Angeles County economy, including but not limited, to the workforce - direct, indirect and induced employment. Authorize the Director of Economic Opportunity to negotiate, execute, and amend agreement(s) necessary to implement and advance the directive in this motion. The Board shall waive the requirements of Board Policy No. 5.100 for these agreements. The Department will fund this using funds currently in their Board-approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 operating budget and work with the Acting Chief Executive Officer to ensure sufficient resources for the economic impact analysis. Create an action plan to support this workforce with job training and job placement by leveraging High Road Training Partnerships and other workforce programs. Instruct County Counsel to submit formal comments to the United States Department of Justice regarding antitrust concerns, and monitor any action taken by State Attorneys General, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who are investigating this deal and its potential anti-competitive impacts. (26-1651)