MEETING DATE:
July 22, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-9472 - LEGISLATIVE REPORT AND UPDATE ON PENDING STATE LEGISLATION
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution taking a position on pending legislation in the California State Legislature that may have local impacts.
Body
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Planning for the Future
Good Governance
Introduction
The City Council adopted the 2025 Legislative Platform to guide the consideration of state and federal bills that affect City operations. Over 2,300 bills were introduced. July 18th was the last day for policy committees in the second house to hear policy bills assigned to them. Staff, lobbyist consultants and Cal Cities continue to review the legislation that has passed out of policy committees in the second house.
Discussion
This report provides updates on additional legislation of concern that made it to the second house during the 2025 legislative session. Staff continue to monitor these bills, and others as the legislative session continues. They will also collaborate with Cal Cities and our lobbyist teams on future City Council consideration for official positions on bills that have made it to the second house. The deadline for policy committees in the second house have heard and reported on all bills was July 18th. This report also provides updates on the legislation on which the City Council has taken a position.
The Legislature has recessed for its summer break, starting July 18th and will reconvene on August 18th. After it reconvenes, the Legislature’s fiscal committees will have approximately two weeks to hear and report on legislation.
The following bills best align with the City’s state legislative priorities, and staff believe that they would have a possible impact on the city.
Bill No. Author Title Position
|
AB 290 |
Bauer-Kahan |
California FAIR Plan Association: automatic payments. |
Support |
The following are bills on which the City Council has taken a position, the position, and their current status in the legislative process.
Bill No. Title Position Location
|
AB 262 |
California Individual Assistance Act. |
Support |
Senate Governmental Organization |
|
AB 300 |
Fire hazard severity zones: State Fire Marshal. |
Support |
Senate Natural Resources |
|
AB 424 |
Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints. |
Support |
Senate Appropriations |
|
AB 492 |
Alcohol and drug programs: licensing. |
Support |
Senate Third Reading |
|
AB 650 |
Planning and zoning: housing element: regional housing needs allocation. |
Support |
Senate Appropriations |
|
AB 841 |
State Fire Marshal: personal protective equipment: battery fires. |
Support |
Senate Governmental Organization |
|
AB 846 |
Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities. |
Support |
Senate Appropriations |
|
AB 893 |
Housing development projects: objective standards: campus development zone |
Oppose |
Senate Local Government |
|
AB 956 |
Accessory dwelling units: ministerial approval: single-family dwellings. |
Oppose |
Senate Housing/Local Government (Hearing Postponed) |
|
SB 74 |
Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation: Infrastructure Gap-Fund Program. |
Support |
Assembly Appropriations |
|
SB 79 |
Housing development: transit-oriented development. |
Oppose |
Assembly Local Government |
|
SB 358 |
Mitigation Fee Act: mitigating vehicular traffic impacts. |
Oppose |
Assembly Local Government |
|
SB 525 |
California FAIR Plan: manufactured homes. |
Support |
Assembly Insurance |
|
SB 569 |
Department of Transportation: homeless encampments. |
Support |
Assembly Transportation |
The state budget was passed on June 15th and was signed on June 28th. Although the budget was finalized, the Legislature and Governor came to agreements on a variety of trailer bills, which provide appropriations for the state’s budget. Two budget trailer bills of interest are AB/SB 130 and 131, Housing and Public Resources, respectively. Both trailer bills create or expand California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions, and streamline environmental reviews, among other things. As trailer bills, they provide appropriations for the budget bill, and they go into effect immediately. Wildfires, MediCal budget overages, continued tariffs and cuts from the federal government continue to put pressure on the state budget, and may lead to additional budget related legislation in the remainder of the legislative session. Staff will continue work internally, and with the lobbyist consultant, and Cal Cities to determine the impacts of these bills.
Environmental Review
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Sections 15000 - 15387), and is therefore not subject to environmental review pursuant to Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adopting the proposed resolution. Unknown fiscal impacts are associated with the bills noted in Attachment A. A more thorough analysis of each bill’s implementation requirements is needed to demonstrate total fiscal impact.
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Attachment B: AB 290 Support Letter
Prepared by: Michael Lieberman, Legislative Analyst
Reviewed by: Phil Scollick, City Clerk/Director of Legislative Affairs
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager