Lawmakers push to fast-track radical housing model that could transform urban areas: 'Faster timelines and fewer bureaucratic hoops'
In February, a revolutionary housing bill was introduced in the California State Assembly.
Assembly Bill 609 will streamline the approval process for urban multi-family housing on pre-developed land (a.k.a., infill housing). This presents an alternative to suburban sprawl, which develops unused land outside cities.
California YIMBY, an organization that advocates for affordable housing, collaborated with Buffy Wicks, a California State Representative, to create the bill.
If passed, infill housing will be exempt from review under California's Environmental Quality Act. Since it's been proven that infill housing benefits the environment, the bill's proponents argue that there's no need for such extensive review.
"The science is clear: building infill housing in cities reduces pollution that causes climate change," Brian Hanlon, CEO of California YIMBY, said in a press release. "AB 609 codifies that science in law."
According to the press release, new developments would still have to comply with local regulations, which are already approved by the CEQA.
Building cheap, affordable housing in urban centers is key to solving California's ongoing housing crisis. Infill housing also takes less of an environmental toll. Residents will be closer to work and other daily necessities, meaning less pollution from cars and shorter commutes.
More cities around the globe are waking up to infill housing. London's Elephant and Castle neighborhood utilizes infill housing to keep the city's emissions down, for example. If the process becomes simpler in California, it could set a great precedent for the rest of the United States.
AB 609 is part of a larger package of bills introduced in the California state legislature in early 2025. A press release from Assemblymember Wicks' office said, "The Fast Track Housing package is about making our systems work better: clearer rules, faster timelines, and fewer bureaucratic hoops."
Do you think America is in a housing crisis?
Definitely
Not sure
No way
Only in some cities
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
California gun control bill that could ban popular Glock pistol sales moves forward
( — A bill that could ban the sale of the most popular handgun in the U.S. is potentially on its way to becoming law after it passed through the California State Assembly on Tuesday. Assembly Bill 1127, also referred to by many people as the Glock Ban Bill, was authored by Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and would prohibit licensed firearms dealers from selling guns that can be 'easily converted by hand or with common household tools' into a machine gun. Although the Glock isn't specifically mentioned in the written legislation, it falls into that category of firearms. New gun laws won't be enforced by Sutter County Sheriff's Office 'I am pleased to be presenting AB 1127, which will protect communities from mass shootings and gun violence by encouraging gun manufacturers to prevent the conversion of their firearms to dangerous automatic weapons,' Gabriel said during an Assembly Standing Committee hearing. He continued, 'Automatic weapons are exceptionally lethal and capable of firing hundreds of rounds per minute. They are illegal in California. Unfortunately, some semi-automatic firearms feature a dangerous design flaw that allows them to be converted to fully automatic weapons through an attachment of a cheap and easy-to-use device, known as a switch.' Northern California police warn of $1,000 fine per illegal firework amid Fourth of July holiday The Glock is infamous for its easy-alteration capabilities by using a 'Glock switch'. In 2022, a converted Glock was reportedly used in a mass shooting that occurred just blocks from the California State Capitol Building. It left six people dead and several others injured. 'Sadly, certain companies in the gun industry have known about this issue for decades and have done nothing meaningful to address it,' Gabriel said. 'This common-sense legislation will ensure that the gun industry is held accountable and that we're doing everything we possibly can to protect our communities from mass shootings.' AB 1127 is supported by organizations like Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, and Voices for Progress. However, other groups such as the National Association for Gun Rights and Gun Owners of California Inc. are in opposition. 'AB 1127 is a blatant attack on your right to own one of the most common self-defense firearms in America,' Gun Owners of California said on social media before the bill passed through the Assembly. 'This bill targets semiautomatic pistols used by millions of law-abiding gun owners—and it's being pushed under the false pretense of 'safety'.' NAGR vowed to fight back against the proposed legislation. 'California (is) pushing rapidly towards a total ban of Glock pistols,' NAGR said on social media. 'The most popular firearm in the country. If you think there is a line they will not cross, think again.' AB 1127 passed on a vote of 58-17, with Democrat support and Republican opposition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
5 things to know about big potential changes to California's building laws
Government runs on acronyms. In California, few inspire such strong reactions as CEQA. Those four letters stand for the California Environmental Quality Act. It's a state law that's been around since 1970. Depending on whom you ask, it's either the reason California retains its natural beauty in the face of unrelenting development pressure or why the state has plunged into a housing crisis. But now the Legislature is debating the most substantial overhaul to CEQA in generations. One proposal would exempt urban housing from its requirements and the other would weaken its rules for almost everything else. Here's why the law is so integral to California and what changes might do. The law is straightforward. CEQA requires proponents of a development — housing, highways, power plants, warehouses and many more — to disclose and, if possible, lessen its environmental effects before breaking ground. In practice these rules have meant thousand-plus page reports that include lengthy analyses of soil testing and traffic modeling, and sometimes endless litigation that puts entire projects at risk. Supporters of CEQA say the law is essential to preventing development from dirtying California's waterways and mountain ranges and protects communities from harm. They say the law's effects on stopping development are overblown, pointing to studies that show few projects face lawsuits. Those who want CEQA overhauled respond that even threats to sue can derail projects, such as housing or clean energy infrastructure, that the state needs to be more affordable and respond to climate change. The reformers contend that a project's opponents weaponize the broad requirements in CEQA to try to stop the developments, including homeless shelters and a food bank in recent years, for reasons that have nothing to do with the environment. Two of CEQA's biggest fans are environmental and labor groups, influential constituencies in state politics. They've successfully resisted major changes to the law over the years and have learned to wield it. So even though governors and lawmakers have talked a big game about CEQA changes, they've been able to pass relief only for specific pet projects or those willing to pay construction workers higher wages, or set aside a portion of the development for low-income housing or other benefits. The two new bills have been proposed by veteran lawmakers who have written many of the CEQA and housing reforms in recent years, frustrated that large-scale development hasn't followed. Their efforts have been buoyed by a national 'Abundance' movement that's growing within Democratic circles. The argument goes that laws like CEQA in part drive the housing and infrastructure crises in blue states that are stifling the party's political fortunes. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has embraced the call, endorsed the two bills and put them on a fast-track to approval as soon as this month. Even opponents of the bills believe something is going to pass. But what that looks like remains an open question. One lawmaker indicated that some labor standards may be part of her bill, and the other's bill was gutted in a legislative committee. All eyes will be on Newsom and legislative leaders in the coming weeks as they attempt to hammer out a final deal. Virginia writes, 'My dad gave me a strong sense of self as a smart Latina capable of doing anything I set my mind to. One of his favorite pieces of advice, liberally given, was that people would underestimate me and not to let them. This served me well as I entered the male dominated corporate world of the late 80s and 90s and eventually reached my goal at the top of the corporate ladder.' Michael writes, 'Son, you should always marry a short girl. When they [fart,] they don't kick up as much dust.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. On June 5, 1981, AIDS was reported for the first time following the detection of a rare form of pneumonia in five gay men in Los Angeles. Last year, as part of the Times' Our Queerest Century project, columnist LZ Granderson wrote about how we must remember the heroes of the AIDS epidemic, not just the trauma. Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
California state mulls seizing assets left unclaimed for 3 years
California state mulls seizing assets left unclaimed for 3 years originally appeared on TheStreet. The California State Assembly has passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1052 with a 69-0 vote that mandates the state to seize Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies left unclaimed for 3 years. Now, the Senate will vote on the bill. Introduced by Democrat member Avelino Valencia, the bill includes digital assets, including virtual currencies, cryptocurrencies, or other digital-only assets in the already existing list of traditional assets such as bank accounts and safe deposits within the legal framework. To put it simply, the bill, once passed, allows the state of California to seize cryptocurrencies left unclaimed on exchanges for 3 years, which can then be claimed by their owners. Notably, the bill earlier mentioned crypto self-custody provisions which have been deleted. AB 1052 is the latest crypto-related bill to see progress in the California State Assembly. Only recently, the assembly unanimously passed AB 1180 on June 2. AB 1180 is another crypto-related bill that allows state agencies to accept crypto payments. If the Senate also passes the bill and it becomes the law, it will require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to formulate rules to allow crypto payments under the Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL). AB 1180 could come into force as early as July 1, 2026, and run as a pilot until January 1, 2031. It could then be fully implemented. California finds company among states such as Wyoming, Florida, Texas, and New Hampshire that are proactively pursuing crypto regulation. California state mulls seizing assets left unclaimed for 3 years first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 4, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
