Cal Cities to take on unlicensed short-term rental operators, copper wire theft, forever chemicals, and more in 2025 legislative session
Cal Cities is sponsoring over a dozen bills this session, some of which are already in print
By Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor. Additional contributions by the Cal Cities Advocacy Team
Lawmakers have proposed over a thousand new measures in advance of a Friday deadline — several sponsored by Cal Cities.
A bill by Sen. Maria Durazo would make it easier for cities to enforce ordinances against unlicensed short-term rentals and help ensure cities receive the correct amount of transient occupancy taxes. SB 346 would require hosting platforms to report information related to properties on their websites to cities and allow them to audit transient occupancy taxes.
Other states have proposed similar measures, including New York. Hosting platforms receive revenue from unlicensed rentals, which can result in uncollected taxes or cities unknowingly accepting money from unlicensed rentals.
“Transient occupancy taxes are a primary source of many cities’ general fund revenues, and SB 346 will improve their ability to collect this vital funding that supports the delivery of essential city functions, like police and fire,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman.
AB 476 (González) would reduce copper wire theft through new reporting and licensing requirements for scrap metal sellers. Copper wire theft has become a widespread and costly issue, with cities expending vast resources on enforcement and repairs.
Los Angeles even created a task force to deal with chronic theft on its Sixth Street Bridge that left streets and neighborhoods in the dark. Thieves there stripped seven miles of copper from lights, poles, and wiring for an estimated sell value of $11,000 and $2.5 million in repairs.
A measure by Sen. Jerry McNerney, SB 454, would create a special state fund to help local agencies clean up toxic PFAS. Also known as forever chemicals, this group of over 14,000 synthetic chemicals are used for their stain- and water-resistant and nonstick properties.
Local agencies are not responsible for the development of these products and subsequent contamination. However, the growing costs of treating the contamination will fall disproportionately on customers' water bills.
“California has banned PFAS in consumer products ranging from food packaging and cosmetics to children’s cribs and playpens,” Sen. McNerney said in a press release. “But PFAS has been used in thousands of products during the past eight decades, so forever chemicals have contaminated a substantial portion of our drinking water.”
Lawmakers have also introduced three bills that would address longstanding concerns over alcohol and drug treatment facilities. An audit last year found that the state has failed to investigate complaints, jeopardizing patient and community safety.
Cal Cities plans to sponsor over a dozen measures this year, including some related to wildfire preparedness, encampments, murals, and housing elements.