Capitol Update
By Chris Wysocki
GREAT NEWS! WMA SPONSORED, PERMIT TO OPERATE (PTO) BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY HOUSING COMMITTEE
Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (Democrat, Stockton) presented his bill, AB 2002, before the Assembly Housing Committee earlier today. Sponsored by WMA, this bill provides a funding mechanism for residents to access funds to correct resident violations to avoid notices of intent to suspend Park Permits to Operate. The committee staff recommended that the bill be amended, and the author agreed to accept the amendments to keep it alive so we may further discuss the issues with Assemblymembers on the Floor and with Senators who will likely hear the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
WMA staff testified in support of AB 2002. AB 2002 passed the Assembly Housing Committee and will be referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
To view the full text of AB 2002 as amended, please click here:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2002
RENTAL REGISTRY BILL WITHDRAWN FROM COMMITTEE HEARING
WMA has been a leader in the effort to defeat AB 2469. Last month, WMA joined a coalition including the California Apartment Association and other property-rights groups opposed to AB 2469, which would have required the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to develop and maintain a statewide rental registry. The bill also would have prohibited landlords from raising rents or terminating a tenancy if they fail to register.
AB 2469 was scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Housing Committee on April 20. We are pleased to report that AB 2496 was withdrawn from the committee hearing at the author’s request. AB 2469 is effectively dead for the year. This is welcome news.
PARK MANAGEMENT, RESIDENT MEETING BILL CLEARS POLICY COMMITTEE
Also earlier today, WMA staff testified before the Assembly Housing Committee in opposition to AB 2031 authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee (Democrat, San Jose), which imposes additional meeting requirements between park management and residents.
WMA opposes AB 2031 which, among other things, would require mobilehome park management, upon request by a resident, to “offer in-person and telephone options and shall provide a list of audio-video conferencing options upon the request of the homeowner or homeowners.”
The author agreed to remove the section in the bill which requires management to write a written response to the meeting, within 10 days, a provision that WMA has argued is burdensome and not required of other housing providers.
Finally, AB 2031 expands the list of discussion items to include common area availability and utility billing.
Throughout our meetings with policymakers, we argued that AB 2031 is a solution in search of a problem and that the author and proponents have failed to offer concrete examples to justify the need for this legislation. Parkowners and managers already routinely meet with residents and their representatives in their communities and current law allows residents to have attorneys present at requested meetings.
AB 2031 passed the Assembly Housing Committee and will head to the Assembly floor. We will continue our efforts to defeat AB 2031 as the bill advances.
To view the full text of AB 2031, please click here:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2031
WMA STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP WITH MANAGER TRAINING BILL, VOTERVOICE CAMPAIGN ENGAGED
A VoterVoice campaign was sent yesterday to those members who have not yet had the opportunity to respond to our call to action against the manager training bill, SB 869 by Senator Connie Leyva of Chino. This bill is currently on the “Suspense File” in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and WMA staff is working to educate Appropriations Committee members on the true costs associated with this bill on the State General Fund and for HCD.
it is not too late to help with SB 869 (Leyva) if you haven’t already done so. SB 869 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File, but it’s still alive. We need your help today.
Here is the link: https://www.votervoice.net/WMA/campaigns/93281/respond
LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES APPROACHING
Friday, April 29th is the deadline for all fiscal bills to clear their Policy Committees and reach the Appropriations Committees in both the Assembly and Senate.
Friday, May 6th is the deadline for all non-fiscal bills to clear their Policy Committees and head to the Floor in both the Assembly and Senate.
Friday, May 20th is the fiscal committee deadline, but it is expected that these bills that are currently on the “Suspense File” will be decided on Thursday, May 19th.
Friday, May 27th is the last day for the Assembly and Senate to pass bills introduced in the “House of Origin”. This deadline does not apply to so-called “Urgency” bills or Constitutional Amendments.
Chris Wysocki is WMA’s State Legislative Advocate. He can be reached at chris@wma.org.
