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Landmark California Housing Bill SB 50 Pulled from 2019 Legislative Docket
A California housing bill proposed by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco won’t be on the docket for 2019. SB 50 was shifted to a “two-year bill” by Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. That effectively holds the proposed legislation for the rest of this year, and though SB 50 could be amended, it won’t be considered by the California Legislature again until 2020.
Aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis, the legislation would override local zoning rules and allow taller, denser residential buildings near transit hubs. The bill also includes exceptions for smaller cities and counties. Local government officials believe the bill would override their local zoning restrictions and housing plans. Meanwhile, housing advocates fear new construction in urban areas will displace longtime residents.
In a statement, Wiener said, “While I’m deeply disappointed that the Chair of the Appropriations Committee has decided to postpone SB 50 until 2020 – since we have a housing crisis right now – we are one hundred percent committed to moving the legislation forward.”
Wiener pointed out that “California faces a 3.5 million home shortage – equal to the combined housing shortage of the other 49 states – and the status quo isn’t working.” Adding, “We need to do things differently when it comes to housing. We’re either serious about solving this crisis, or we aren’t. At some point, we will need to make the hard political choices necessary for California to have a bright housing future.”
SB 50 will be eligible for a vote in January 2020 when the new legislative session starts.
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