Governor Newsom has endorsed two major housing bills aimed at easing California’s housing crisis by scaling back environmental review requirements. AB 609 (Wicks; D-Oakland) would exempt most infill housing projects from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), while SB 607 (Wiener; D-San Francisco) includes broader reforms to streamline project approvals and relax zoning rules for infill development. Newsom has tied both bills to his state budget proposal, signaling strong executive support for regulatory reform.

BOMA California supports both AB 609 and SB 607, viewing them as critical steps toward accelerating housing production. These bills cut red tape and promote affordability, marking one of the most significant recent efforts to reform CEQA. While they represent a strong start, we encourage the Governor and Legislature to pursue broader reforms that impact a wider range of housing projects and more effectively address the state’s housing crisis.

BOMA California joins the California Retailers Association and other allied organizations in opposing AB 405 (Addis; D-San Luis Obispo). While the bill aims to reduce the fashion industry's environmental impact through emissions reporting and supply chain requirements, its broad scope applies to all retailers selling apparel or textiles—not just fast fashion. These mandates would significantly raise compliance costs and consumer prices, worsening California’s affordability crisis.

AB 405 also duplicates existing laws creating regulatory confusion and straining state resources already stretched by other climate and affordability priorities. We urge the Legislature to hold AB 405 and focus instead on strengthening implementation of current sustainability laws.

The 2025 legislative session has proven to be one of the most challenging in recent memory for the commercial real estate industry, with numerous bills taking direct aim at our sector.

Last Friday marked the deadline for Senate and Assembly policy committees to hear and report non-fiscal bills introduced in their respective chambers. While our advocacy efforts continue against several harmful proposals, we’re pleased to report key early victories—several problematic bills we have opposed have been significantly amended or blocked.