Transcript Highlights:

• there were already cities like in Senators, I believe, that were already had plans that were shelf-ready
• I'll turn it over to you when you're ready. Good morning, members of the committee.
• This includes blatant refusal from some landlords to rent units to tenants with a voucher.
• Units to tenants with a voucher.
• Begin when you are ready. All right, Mr. Chair, ready whenever you and the committee are.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows tenant organizers to come into a building with a tenant who lives there.
• The person can come in with a tenant.
• So it has been a pleasure statewide tenant advocacy organization that provides free legal advice to tenants
• Guests of tenants, such as friends, family members, neighbors, or even a non-resident tenant organizer
• organizer needing to accompany a tenant.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Income tenants in Northern and Central Virginia.
• But it does allow them to mitigate their risk and potentially rent to a riskier tenant, you know, a tenant
• As much as the tenant can.
• or a tenant with a subsidy.
• Our intention is to give motivated tenants an option.

Keywords: Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People were really ready to be thinking about the most fire-hardened materials for our roofs.
• And we'll move into a public hearing on Senate Bill 6015 concerning permit-ready residential plans.
• Members, Ben Omdahl, staff, in front of you is Senate Bill 6015, concerning permit-ready residential
• L&I must also create and maintain a public-facing website for approved permit-ready plans.
• It's potentially going to grow, and we want to be ready for that when that happens.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 6054, Senator Hunt’s bill to prohibit common-interest community rules from blocking wildfire home-hardening materials, staff explained that HOA and condominium governing documents could still impose reasonable aesthetic rules, but not ones that make fire-resistant materials infeasible or more than 10% costlier. The sponsor described the bill as a response to HOA requirements for less fire-resistant roofs. Testifiers generally supported the goal but objected to the 10% cost cap, saying it could limit community-specific design choices and create unintended conflicts with aesthetic standards. The committee also heard SB 601 on scissor stairs in the building code. The sponsor and supporters from Futurewise, architects, and housing advocates said scissor stairs could make mid-rise and high-rise housing more efficient, reduce corridor space, and improve unit layouts without sacrificing life safety. They noted the design is used in places like Vancouver, B.C. and in some Washington venues, and argued the bill would help lower costs and increase housing supply. No opposition was presented during the hearing. For SB 6015 on permit-ready residential plans, staff said L&I would create a process for publishing approved plans for factory-built housing and certain small residential types, with local governments required to approve applications using those plans on qualifying lots starting in 2027. Supporters from builders, architects, Habitat for Humanity, and Sightline said statewide standard plans could reduce duplication, speed permitting, and help scale factory-built and potentially site-built housing. Counties and L&I were supportive in concept but raised concerns about mandating local adoption of model ordinances and about whether the bill should include site-built plans as well. The committee also heard SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside urban growth areas, with supporters saying it would help rural homeowners and intergenerational living, while Futurewise opposed the bill as written and sought tighter density, lot-size, and metering limits. Finally, the committee heard SB 5729, a permit-streamlining bill that would deem completeness for applications prepared by licensed professionals and limit local governments to three review cycles. Builders and business groups supported it as a way to reduce delays and costs, while counties, cities, and Futurewise argued it could lead to more denials, less communication, and unintended liability concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5884 and moved it forward with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:24.800><c> default</c> says in the case of the tenant default says in the case of the tenant
• </c> just cause delays and um allow tenants just cause delays and um allow tenants to<00:16:12.880><c
• </c><00:22:29.840><c> did</c> an eviction was filed, the tenant did an eviction was filed, the tenant
• </c> that, or fails to appear that the tenant that, or fails to appear that the tenant is<00:29:14.960
• </c><00:37:52.960><c> uh</c> let's call it an innocent tenant uh let's call it an innocent tenant uh

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California is moving toward cleaner electric appliances, and the market is ready to support them.
• Robert Copeland, member of Sacramento Valley Tenants, in strong support.
• Robert Copeland, member of Sacramento Valley Tenants, in strong support. Good afternoon.
• We have a pipeline of existing projects and units ready to go.
• Senator, whenever you're ready. Totally forgot. We only do that in the Assembly.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related measures, beginning with SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act. The bill would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow virtual contractor participation during inspections, and limit HOA barriers to installation. Supporters, including Spur, a contractor, and several clean-energy and environmental groups, said the measure would lower costs, reduce pollution, and speed replacements. The League of California Cities opposed the bill over the permit fee cap and concerns about virtual inspections, while committee members raised questions about HOA authority, electrical panel upgrades, and whether the bill could create unintended costs for local governments. SB 222 was approved 10-0 and sent to Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill had been narrowed to two items: mobile home exemption language and a future SB 79 cleanup bill in the next session, with the larger set of implementation issues to be handled separately. Local governments and counties said the reduced bill still needed clearer definitions and more implementation guidance, while several housing and transit advocates supported the narrowing and the decision to revisit the broader cleanup later. After the amendments were accepted, SB 677 passed 10-1 and was sent to Local Government. The main debate centered on SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the 2026 ballot. Supporters, including the California Housing Consortium, labor, housing nonprofits, local governments, and many advocacy groups, argued that the state’s existing housing bond funds were exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready projects were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and private capital to produce and preserve affordable homes. Opponents and skeptics focused on state debt levels, the cost of housing production, and whether another bond was the right approach, with Habitat for Humanity asking for a dedicated CalHome allocation. Committee members discussed debt capacity, affordability, homeownership, and the need to keep funding flowing to existing programs. SB 417 passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 492, a youth housing and youth center bond proposal, which the author said was intended to be folded into the larger housing bond package; testimony from Covenant House California emphasized the need to house transition-age youth and prevent long-term homelessness. No vote on SB 492 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Throughout the program, we ultimately saw an environment that could feel stacked against tenants.
• I've seen tenants often frightened and unrepresented show up on one of the most stressful days of their
• Tenants often frightened and unrepresented show up on one of the most stressful days of their lives,
• In many of these cases, tenants are low-income individuals or families on the brink of homelessness.
• So I'm ready to turn it over to Mr.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> streamline how our landlords and tenants streamline how our landlords and tenants interact<00:01
• ,</c> anyone present, not just another tenant, anyone present, not just another tenant, while<00:02:47.640
• > timelines,</c> tenant right, tenant service timelines, tenant right, tenant service timelines, and<
• </c> going to help us make sure that tenants going to help us make sure that tenants across<00:03:49.040
• </c> the lives of landlords and tenants the lives of landlords and tenants better<00:07:27.640><c> in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Assemblymember McKenna, an act relating to landlords and tenants.
• residential lease, a growing number of rental properties are not creating significant financial burden on tenants
• Landlord, property owners, and affordable housing, tenants rights advocates.
• Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a challenge if the state… The state goes out and decides these apps are particularly dark and not ready
• I agree with that content, or my child is not ready for that."
• I'll try to wrap it up because I know this is almost 9 p.m. and you guys are ready to go home.
• say you're in a 20-story office building—you've got... 30, 40, or 50 tenants.
• Are you holding a trust any time you're doing a tenant build-out or a tenant improvement to a space because

Bills: HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3287 , HB3288 , HB3289 , HB3290 , HB3344 , HB3712 , HB3862 , HB3874 , HB4196 , HB4308 , HB4901 , HB4984

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll then stand ready for your questions. Thank you, Commissioner. Mr.
• Um, the tenants that’ll be housed there will be, um, essentially the same tenants that were there previously
• </p> of of the project um the tenants that'll of of the project um the tenants that'll be<00:25:49.799
• That really was a tenant-driven decision.
• So, are we ready to ask questions?

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A state landlord should be able to require state tenants to utilize this criteria to assess deferred
• If it does not, do they have funds available for those tenant improvements so they can move into that
• The second level of waste, or tenant waste, manifests when the agency does not fill the space that it
• This means that the combination of OMES waste and tenant waste totals 2,949,984 square feet, which could
• Just one, and I know everybody's ready to go.

Committee: Senate Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT)

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please step forward, state your name, and begin when ready.
• Representative, please step forward and begin when ready. All right.
• Make sure the mic is on and begin when ready. Good morning, everyone.
• Begin when ready, and thank you very much. All right, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And now the owner, both the owner and tenant are in a bad spot.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to go, and we're ready to partner with you.
• to go, and we're ready to partner with you.
• </c> Minneapolis, and so we're ready to go.
• ><c> you</c> uh and we're ready to partner with you uh and we're ready to partner with you and<00:42:
• So it's it's incredible to see tenants.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> tenants. So uh there was a huge issue. tenants. So uh there was a huge issue.
• This would go to do with the tenant.
• </c> that tenant pays for utilities. Correct? that tenant pays for utilities. Correct?
• I didn't have a tenant in that unit.
• If your bill... >> The tenant.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 25 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Establishes consequences for tenants.
• We'll rename the working group to the tenant protection working group.
• And further, the tenant protection working group shall address tenant protection issues in the state,
• We'll rename the working group to the tenant protection working group.
• And further, the tenant protection working group shall address tenant protection issues in the state,

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Housing and Health and Human Services, along with related committees, heard and later took action on three housing bills. HB 1700 HD1, relating to housing and expedited permitting, received support from disability advocates, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and a self-advocate who said faster permitting would help people with disabilities access more independent living options. The chairs said they would add amendments to ensure expedited permitting would not compromise ADA or Fair Housing Act protections and to require reporting on the number, type, and geographic distribution of projects so the program could be evaluated over time. The measure was recommended and adopted with amendments by the participating committees. HB 1777 HD2, which would require tenant protections for residents displaced by HHFDC-supported redevelopment projects, drew support from HHFDC, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Parents and Children Together, and numerous other organizations. Testimony emphasized the need for a right of first offer, replacement housing payments, relocation information, and tracking procedures to reduce displacement harms, especially for Native Hawaiian and public housing residents. In decision-making, the committees amended the bill to incorporate the Senate companion measure, rename the working group as the tenant protection working group, broaden its duties, and include a $75,000 appropriation for working group expenses. The committees also noted concerns about unequal treatment between tenants in publicly supported projects and private redevelopments, and referenced the KPT low-rise redevelopment as an example where required relocation assistance still did not proceed smoothly. The bill was recommended and adopted with amendments. HB 1975 HD1, relating to kupuna housing, would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kupuna, appropriate funds to HPHA, and add positions to support the program. HPHA, the Executive Office on Aging, OHA, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and others testified in support, with Catholic Charities describing how the subsidy helped a senior remain housed through major medical issues. The committees later recommended passage with amendments, including a technical correction to the number of positions and a date fix, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Space Florida's actually just a tenant on NASA federally owned property.
• This is NASA federally on property Space. 70 Florida's actually just a tenant on NASA federally owned
• They are thrilled that Space Florida's a tenant on their property.
• thing is Spaceport would like an itemized list from the spaceports, kind of laying out all the shovel-ready
• spaceport would like 400 an itemized list from the spaceports kind of laying out 401 all the shovel ready

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met to consider several bills, beginning with HB 335 by Representative Kendall, which sought to recognize space as a fifth mode of transportation, give voting rights to ex officio Space Florida board members, and reduce what the sponsor described as unnecessary state oversight of spaceport operations. The bill was presented as a response to feedback from NASA, Space Force, and other federal partners about clarifying the state’s role at federally owned facilities like Kennedy Space Center. Members raised questions about terminology, authority over federal property, and the role of Space Florida; the sponsor said an amendment would remove the voting-rights provision and instead require spaceports to provide an annual list of shovel-ready projects. The amendment was adopted, and HB 335 passed favorably. The committee then unanimously passed HB 885, which designates a road in Baker County near the courthouse in honor of former Representative and Judge John Cruz, and HB 403, which names a portion of the road leading into NAS Pensacola as Warriors Way to honor the sailors killed in the 2019 Pensacola attack and the broader naval community there. Both bills drew brief supportive remarks and no opposition. The committee also considered HB 25, a bridge designation for Coach Wilks, a longtime local basketball coach, and adopted a Senate amendment adding the Dickey Betts Memorial Highway designation on U.S. 41 in Sarasota County. HB 25, as amended, passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all measures on the agenda were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2527 deals with eventual tenant ownership programs.
• In fact, the Spokane Indian Housing Authority transferred 17 units to tenant ownership last year.
• It's really a tenant choice at the end of the day. Great. Thank you. Representative Connors.
• So documentation of what was originally told to the tenants is unclear.
• The protection of expressing our rights as senior tenants should apply for any...

Summary: The Housing Committee heard two bills and received updates on scheduling. Chair Peterson announced that HB 2266 may move from Thursday to Monday for executive action due to ongoing talks with the city, and HB 2489 will move to next week for additional amendment work. HB 1542, concerning senior independent housing, was briefly opened, then suspended so HB 2527 could be heard first; the committee later returned to HB 1542 for public testimony. The committee adjourned after closing the hearing on HB 1542, with no votes taken during this meeting. HB 1542 would establish rights for residents of senior independent housing, allow enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act, and require a Commerce report to the legislature. The staff summary described the bill as creating protections such as respectful treatment, the ability to install certain safety devices, resident meetings, and timely management responses in emergencies. Rep. Reeves said the bill responds to seniors in Federal Way who lack protections in independent living settings and noted likely amendments to extend the reporting deadline and possibly add a registry to clarify which communities are covered. Testimony from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP supported the bill as a needed consumer-protection measure for vulnerable older adults, while other witnesses asked for broader coverage, including manufactured home communities, and LeadingAge Washington requested more stakeholder work and a technical amendment related to CCRCs. HB 2527 would regulate eventual tenant ownership programs tied to federal low-income housing tax credits. Staff explained that the bill would require developers to create reserve or escrow accounts, inform tenants and partners of their rights and responsibilities, and comply with timely transfer obligations, with enforcement by the Housing Finance Commission and possible debarment from future tax-credit participation for violations. Rep. Pollet said the bill is intended to address cases where Native families were promised eventual ownership of homes but did not receive deeds or keys after years of renting, citing an audit and describing the bill as a needed accountability tool. Supportive testimony from Indigenous rights attorney Gabe Galanda emphasized that hundreds of families, many in tribal communities, were affected. The Housing Finance Commission opposed the punitive approach, saying it had already updated policies after the audit, that the projects are complex and vary by tribal housing authority, and that the bill could undermine collaborative work and potentially misdirect penalties away from the actual responsible parties. Committee members pressed the commission on accountability, ownership structures, escrow obligations, and the status of remaining households, and the exchange highlighted disagreement over whether the bill’s enforcement provisions are appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Sunrise Apartments is now operational, providing housing and case management for its tenants.
• A gentleman by the name of Feele, Providing housing and case management for his tenants.
• We offer job placement, job readiness training, and resume development support.
• Staff is don't panic, but be ready. And so we have contingency plans in place.
• And so we have continued. staff is don't panic, but be ready.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> working group to develop landlord tenant working group to develop landlord tenant code<00:30:44.000
• </c><00:31:15.039><c> So</c> residential landlord tenant code. So residential landlord tenant code.
• </c><00:33:03.600><c> that</c> um, crimes perpetrated on tenants that um, crimes perpetrated on tenants
• ><00:34:10.159><c> more</c> tenants who already need more tenants who already need more protections<00
• </c><00:34:28.560><c> viewpoint</c> representation for the tenant viewpoint representation for the tenant

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard three resolutions focused on condominium management, insurance, and landlord-tenant issues. For HCR 24/HR 23, which sought a follow-up Sunrise review of condominium association managers, Hawaii Realtors and the Real Estate Commission supported the measure, while several condo owners and advocates described alleged embezzlement, misconduct, and lack of accountability in association management. The Real Estate Commission suggested using a more current bill, HB 1312, as the basis for the review. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to direct the auditor to conduct a Sunrise analysis on HB 1312 instead of the older cited bills, and the measure passed with amendments by unanimous votes, with one member excused. For HCR 85/HR 79, which asked the Insurance Commissioner to study alternative insurance models for condominium associations and unit owners, the acting insurance commissioner said the division supported the concept but warned the study could be costly and time-sensitive, estimating roughly $1.5 million based on the breadth of the requested work. A committee member and the commissioner discussed whether the scope could be narrowed, and the commissioner said a narrower study could reduce costs. The committee ultimately deferred the measure for possible revision and future discussion. For HCR 158/HR 153, which proposed an Attorney General-led working group to improve landlord-tenant code provisions, the Attorney General’s office said another agency with housing expertise would be better suited to convene the group and suggested LRB for legal research support. Hawaii Realtors supported the idea but said the chairing agency could be changed, while Maui Tenants and Workers Association urged stronger tenant representation and warned against framing the effort in a way that favors investors over tenants. A mediator also noted procedural gaps in court filing requirements for tenants and landlords. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to shift the convening role from the Attorney General to the judiciary, narrow the scope, and make technical changes; the amended resolution passed unanimously, with one member excused.