RENT CONTROL BILL FAILS DEADLINE, SHELVED FOR THE YEAR

We are pleased to report that AB 2240 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (Democrat, Torrance) failed to meet the May 6^th deadline to pass nonfiscal bills to their respective floors and is dead for the year. AB 2240 contained intent language affecting rent control protections. WMA formally opposed and engaged in policy discussions on the bill. This is a welcome, positive development for the industry.

DISCUSSIONS WITH HCD YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS ON RENTAL RELIEF APPLICATION STATUS ISSUES

WMA has worked with HCD staff to resolve an issue involving notifications delivered to tenants who have not sought funds under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).  After our discussions with HCD, a new status category has been added that reads “Ineligible:  Tenant Application Incomplete.”  This addition made by HCD at our behest allows parkowners to proceed as necessary with issues involving tenants who have failed to respond to attempts to help them receive funds to pay rent. For more information and to check the status of applications for rental assistance, please visit https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/

UPDATE ON SB 940 (LAIRD), MEASURE TO REMOVE RENT CONTROL EXEMPTION

WMA continues its outreach with the bill’s author, Senator John Laird, and his staff to address outstanding concerns regarding SB 940 (Laird), which removes the rent control exemption for the new construction of spaces in local rent control ordinances.  

SB 940 is still pending action on the Senate floor, but the deadline to act upon this bill is quickly approaching.    

Please click here to view SB 940 (Laird):

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB940

UPDATE REGARDING WMA SPONSORED PTO BILL

Earlier today, the Assembly Appropriations Committee moved AB 2002 (Villapudua), WMA’s sponsored Permit to Operate (PTO) bill, to the “Suspense File.”  I testified in support of the bill on behalf of WMA.

The fate of bills placed on “Suspense” will be decided tomorrow, Thursday, May 19^th.  Look for the latest on AB 2002 in next week’s update.

Please click here to view AB 2002 (Villapudua):

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2002

MANAGER TRAINING BILL

While the fiscal committee deadline is May 20, it is expected that those bills currently on the “Suspense File” will be decided tomorrow, May 19.  WMA has requested that SB 869 (Leyva), the manager training mandate bill, be held in the Suspense File, citing costs associated with the bill.

Look for the latest on SB 869 (Leyva) in next week’s update.

GOVERNOR UNVEILS MAY REVISE

Last Friday, Governor Newsom released his $300.7 billion state budget proposal, or the May Revise, with funds directed at providing inflation relief and addressing issues including public education, homelessness/mental health, and climate change, to name a few. The major highlights include a record $97.5 billion surplus.

To learn more about the Governor’s budget proposal, please click here:

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/05/13/governor-newsom-presents-300-7-billion-blueprint-paving-the-california-way-forward/

Chris Wysocki is WMA’s State Legislative Advocate. He can be reached at chris@wma.org.