Nick Schultz — Assembly Member Haney is introduced as the Chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee and expected to offer remarks. He then speaks about housing affordability, noting the repeated discussion of the issue in committee and the burden housing costs place on Californians. Later speakers thank him for joining and for his remarks, and reference his expertise on housing regulation, the state’s role in housing policy, SB 79, and Bay Area planning.
Nick Schultz — Likely the 'Member Haney' reference is not in the provided list; no correction made. The transcript says 'Member Haney' as an addressee.
Nick Schultz — The speaker addresses an Assembly Member's question.
Nick Schultz — Assembly Member Haney is acknowledged multiple times near the close of the hearing. The chair asks whether he has any additional questions, and the speaker notes that Haney will continue conversations. Later, during public comment and closing remarks, Haney is thanked for participating, identified as chair of the Housing Committee, and praised for his comments and questions.
Bill Fulton — Bill Fulton is introduced as a witness from UC Berkeley’s Turner Center and UC San Diego, then identifies himself and his affiliations before previewing that his remarks will address state regulations affecting housing.
Bill Fulton — Bill Fulton explains that California housing policy requires balancing competing goals that often conflict, such as coastal protection, housing production, greenhouse gas reduction, and wildfire protection. He concludes by describing housing as a 'big Rubik's Cube' that must be built at the right price, for the right people, in the right place, and at the right time, then thanks the committee and turns the presentation over to Chris Ochoa.
SB79 — SB 79 is discussed as a recently signed bill that is part of the state’s effort to limit local control over housing, specifically by mandating upzoning around major transit stops.
Scott Wiener — Senator Wiener was cited in connection with SB 35 and SB 423.
SB35 — Described as having been updated by SB 423.
SB35 — Cited as an example of streamlining that reduced entitlement times for multifamily projects.
SB423 — Described as an update to SB 35.
SB423 — Cited as one of the housing streamlining laws for which the Commission issued guidance memos.
SB375 — Cited as the law requiring sustainable community strategies.
SB375 — The discussion presents SB 375 as a planning law that requires regional sustainable communities strategies and can provide CEQA streamlining for consistent projects, while explicitly not regulating land use or superseding local authority. The witness argues that SB 375 does not limit housing availability or reduce affordability, and that the housing affordability problem exists independently of SB 375. The overall point is that SB 375, and related CARB programs, do not create negative housing impacts by law or practice.
SB743 — Described as requiring CEQA analysis in many project cases to address traffic impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
Chris Ochoa — Chris Ochoa was introduced and then testified as senior counsel for codes, regulatory, and legislative affairs at the California Building Industry Association. He described CBIA as a statewide home builders association representing most new residential construction in California, noted his long background with the International Code Council, and explained that ICC develops the model building codes adopted by states. He said CBIA has worked with the California Energy Commission to educate builders on heat pump technology and to develop the California Electric Homes Program, which provided incentive funding for all-electric homes. He then argued that despite efficiency gains, housing production is being constrained by grid capacity limits, transmission backlogs, utility delays, transformer shortages, and rising electricity demand, all of which add cost and delay to new housing. He also contended that recent code adoption updates have significantly increased housing costs, and used a handout and visual comparison to illustrate how California codes have become much more complex over time. He concluded by emphasizing that California remains a national leader in energy efficiency and code adoption.
Chris Ochoa — Referenced as having testified about fees.
Jerry McNerney — Was thanked for hosting the hearing.
AB130 — AB 130 was referenced as the trailer bill that created a pause on code adoptions, first described as a one-year pause and then clarified as affecting the next two code cycles.
AB130 — The speaker references AB 130's limitations on new measure development.
Bob Raymer — Bob Raymer is introduced as the next remote witness representing California Code Consultants and the California Apartment Association, then he identifies himself and explains that the California Apartment Association represents over 60,000 owners, managers, and developers of multifamily housing in California.
Bob Raymer — Bob Raymer is introduced as participating remotely to offer comments, then begins his remarks by agreeing with Michael from the Energy Commission and expressing appreciation for the positive relationship with the agency.
Louis Marante — Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Housing at the Bay Area Council; begins testimony on California's housing crisis and regulatory costs.
Christopher Ward — Assembly Member Ward is referenced in connection with housing and building-code cost reduction efforts, including AB 6’s proposed 30% cost reduction and related regulatory reforms. The discussion also notes that Ward, together with the governor, has proposed building-code cost reductions as part of the broader effort.
Marc Berman — Referenced in connection with related housing-cost reduction proposals.
AB6 — Cited as proposing a 30% cost reduction in housing-related regulatory costs.
Megan Kirkaby — Megan Kirkaby, Deputy Director of Housing Policy Development with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, was introduced, but it was then clarified that she was unable to attend and that David Zisser would speak in her stead.
David Zisser — Identifies himself as assistant deputy director for local government relations and accountability at HCD and says he is speaking in Megan Kirkaby's stead.
David Garcia — Introduced himself as Legislative Director for the Air Resources Board and began testimony.
SB150 — Cited as the law requiring CARB's periodic progress reports on regional GHG targets.
Jesse Gabriel — Referenced as asking what CARB would do about rising VMT.
Madeline Cavalieri — Introduced herself as Deputy Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission.
Sean Drake — Named as the Legislative Manager representing the California Coastal Commission.
Chris Ward — Addressed as present in the hearing.
Chris Ward — Thanked for inviting DTSC to the conversation.
SB9 — Cited as one of the housing streamlining laws for which the Commission issued guidance memos.
AB2097 — Cited as one of the housing streamlining laws for which the Commission issued guidance memos.
SB484 — Described as creating a pilot program to exempt certain affordable housing from coastal permit requirements.
Michael Sokol — Introduced himself as Director of the Efficiency Division at the California Energy Commission and said he was filling in for Commissioner McAllister.
Andrew McAllister — Identified as the commissioner Michael Sokol was filling in for.
Charlton Bonham — Charlton Bonham delivers a continuous opening statement introducing himself as Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and describing the department’s mission in plain language. He explains that the department’s work is centered on saving nature, managing catch limits and conservation, and responding to California’s extraordinary natural, geographic, and cultural diversity. He emphasizes that California’s biodiversity is unique, that his staff work in the public interest, and that the department’s responsibilities are serious and difficult. He then broadens the remarks to argue that government can do more to be efficient, collaborative, and cost-conscious, drawing on examples from project delivery and research on why projects take time, and concludes by urging greater collaboration to improve affordability and help California thrive.
Catherine Butler — Catherine Butler, Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, introduced herself and noted that her deputy director was also present. She then explained DTSC’s mission to restore contaminated land, oversee cleanups of brownfield and other contaminated sites, and help ensure housing sites are safe. She emphasized that these cleanup efforts can take time, and that early engagement in the development process can help reduce delays and costs while protecting public health.
DTSC Director — The DTSC Director described DTSC’s ongoing brownfields outreach efforts, including a briefing campaign and public workshops with the Water Board to clarify best practices on vapor intrusion and related cleanup issues. The Director encouraged consultants and stakeholders to participate, explained that DTSC has no new regulations or major regulatory reforms planned, and said the agency’s role is grounded in the Health and Safety Code. The Director also discussed how DTSC can sometimes separate construction from ongoing monitoring and remediation so projects can move forward, especially for affordable housing and other redevelopment efforts. Examples were given of contaminated properties in San Jose and Riverside moving toward groundbreaking, and the DTSC grant program was cited as supporting more than 90 revitalization efforts with $130 million in cleanup investment. The Director further explained that lender or financing requirements often trigger DTSC review, that hazardous waste and contaminated-soil fees are being clarified through workshops, and that DTSC is exploring ways to improve fee predictability. Finally, the Director emphasized that DTSC has no fixed project timelines, requires identification of contamination sources and protective remedies before approval, and encourages early engagement, collaboration, and proactive communication so construction can proceed while monitoring and remediation continue when possible.
Catherine — Thanked for joining the committee; likely a prior witness or participant.
Michael Loeffer — Introduced as Chief Counsel for the State Water Resources Control Board.
Michael Laffer / Michael Loeffer (questionable spelling) — Introduced himself as Chief Counsel for the State Water Resources Control Board and said he would address water quality and water rights responsibilities.
Mr. Maramonte — Referenced as having previously discussed housing impacts.
Steve Bennett — Assembly Member Haney is invited to ask questions after the panel presentations, responds by thanking the presenters and saying he appreciates the overview, and the discussion continues with the speaker addressing him directly while introducing further examples and context.
SB1 — Cited as transportation infrastructure financing legislation.