The second half of the legislative session is now underway, with the Legislature holding policy committee hearings to hear second house bills before breaking for summer recess from July 18, 2025 to August 18, 2025. While we’ve made some real progress on several 2025 priority bills, major challenges remain.
Here’s a quick update on where things stand:
SB 681 (Wahab) / AB 130 (Committee on Budget), SB 681 which proposed a $100 cap on HOA fines, was pulled from being heard in committee after its language was unexpectedly inserted into budget trailer bill AB 130—a measure passed without public input or committee review. While the author acknowledges the cap is not practical, she continued to push for statutory limits despite our good-faith efforts to propose a more reasonable, transparent alternative.
AB 130 was signed into law on June 30, 2025 and takes effect immediately. The only exception to the fine cap applies to violations that pose a health or safety risk.
CAI-CLAC is now developing options on how to address this issue going forward. Your continued engagement will be critical—stay tuned and engaged.
SB 770 (Allen), would eliminate the requirement for HOA members installing EV chargers in common areas to name the association as an additional insured. We’ve demonstrated to the author that major insurance carriers in California do provide the required certificate, yet no compromise has been reached despite our continued efforts. The bill passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee and is now headed to the Assembly Insurance Committee. We will continue to advocate for fairness and push for changes to the bill.
SB 625 (Wahab), This bill proposes a streamlined architectural review process for rebuilding after natural disasters. We’re close to a reasonable agreement that limits its scope to actual disaster-related events, but no compromise has been reached. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
SB 410 (Grayson), would require inspectors to include specific information on the cover page of balcony inspection reports. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. We continue to monitor and provide input on this bill.
SB 282 (Wiener), would void any CC&R that prohibits the installation of an electric heat pump. This bill was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not move this session.
AB 942 (Calderon), would have reduced the contract for Net Energy Metering rates for those associations that installed solar from 20 years to 10 years. This section of the bill was deleted, so we will not be taking an active position on it, at this time. The bill has been referred to the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.
This year, “affordability” is the Legislature’s favorite talking point. Yet, every bill on our Hot Bills of 2025 list would increase costs for associations and their members.
We need your help to remind lawmakers that HOAs provide affordable, community-oriented housing to millions of Californians. Associations are not the cause of the housing crisis—and we must not be made into scapegoats.
Please engage with your legislators and let them know that “affordability” shouldn’t come at the expense of community governance and common-sense policy. Your voice matters in Sacramento.
>>> You can find and contact your local legislators HERE.
Additional Information
In support of CAI-CLAC’s mission, please consider including the Buck A Door or More! annual fundraising materials in your 2026 association budgets. The packet can be found here.
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