League-Sponsored Housing Streamlining Bill Clears Key Hurdle

Oakland Council Member Dan Kalb and Menlo Park Mayor Kirstin Keith, both League board members, provided key testimony along with several other city officials from around the state. After many thoughtful questions and extensive vetting, SB 540 passed out of the committee on a 6-0 vote.
 
“Access to housing is a basic human need, and ensuring Californians have access to an affordable place to live is critical to every Californian’s quality of life. That’s why I am proud to have authored Senate Bill 540, which will incentivize and streamline housing construction to meet our state’s dire housing shortage. I thank the Committee for recognizing the critical need for this measure, and look forward to sending this measure to the Governor for his signature,” said Senator Roth.

Next Steps
 
SB 540 now heads to the Senate Committee on Appropriations where it will examine the state's ability to fund the new revolving loan program, established in SB 540, to assist cities with up-front planning and environmental review efforts. The measure must be acted on by the May 26 fiscal committee deadline.
 
For more information about SB 540, please see “Blueprint for Moure Housing Legislation Heads to Senate Environmental Quality Committee for Final Policy Hearing,” CA Cities Advocate, April 14, 2017.
 
Cities are strongly encouraged to join the League and support SB 540. The League’s support letters and a sample letter that cities can use are available on the League’s website at www.cacities.org/billsearch by typing “SB 540” into the bill search function.