Without a doubt, 2024 was a monumental year for government affairs.  From the general election held in November, to the bills signed by Governor Newsom in the Fall, it has been a busy season for those engaged in advocacy.  Our 2023-24 legislative season has come to a close, and CALBO’s Legislative Team extends gratitude to our community for continued support and vigilant engagement.

As you prepare for the year ahead within your jurisdiction, the efforts of CALBO’s Legislative Team are summarized below.  

Legislative Wins

This year, CALBO played an active role in supporting or shaping several important bills that focus on safety, simplifying processes, and improving building efficiency across the state.  You will find links to the text of the bill, in addition to a legislative analysis prepared by the state legislature.  

• AB 2114 (Irwin) – Exterior Elevated Elements
AB 2114 was another responsive measure to the 2015 Berkeley Balcony Collapse.  Building upon previous legislative changes enacted in 2018 and 2019, homeowners and HOAs continued to report troubles meeting new balcony inspection requirements.  AB 2114 enables licensed civil engineers to conduct visual inspections of balconies, ensuring compliance for homeowners and HOAs.  It strengthens inspection timelines, with an end goal to promote safer living conditions.  AB 2114 continued an urgency clause and is already enforceable.  Senate Floor analysis available here.  

• SB 1465 (Archuleta) – Substandard Conditions
Effective January 1, 2025, this law expands the ability to address substandard conditions across all building types, regardless of zoning.  Crafted in the wake of the Ghost Ship Fire, SB 1465 seeks to prevent catastrophic events through proactive enforcement.  SB 1465 was sponsored by the Code Enforcement Officers Association (CACEO), their second time running this legislation.  Senate Floor analysis available here.  

• SB 552 (Newman) – Amendments to the Swimming Pool Safety Act
Taking effect January 1, 2025, SB 552 updates home inspection standards for pools and spas.  As originally proposed, CALBO was concerned with the author’s direction to legislate a requirement for an automatic pool cover and thus excluding manual pool covers.   Consistent with CALBO’s Six-Point Policy, we thought this was a decision that was better left up to the regulatory process.  CALBO’s Legislative Team secured amendments that resulted in a neutral stance on the final legislation.  Senate Floor analysis available here.  

• AB 98 (Carrillo & Reyes) – Warehouses
Effective January 1, 2026, AB 98 establishes high-efficiency standards for warehouses, including sky lights or LED efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems deemed high-efficiency, and proposed timelines for the use of only zero-emission equipment.  The measure also imposes buffer zones between communities and warehouses.  Provisions require each jurisdiction to redo their general plan to account for trucking routes’ avoidance of sensitive areas.  CALBO did not find this to be an appropriate way to adopt building standards and joined a coalition of local government entities, the business community, and environmental justice advocates in opposition.  Although we were successful in obtaining some substantive amendments, despite mediocre support, the bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by Governor Newsom.  Assembly Floor analysis available here.  

• AB 2427 (McCarty) – EV Charging
AB 2427 mandates streamlined permitting for curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by January 1, 2027, directing the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to develop standardized checklists, zoning ordinances, and best practices for statewide adoption.  CALBO supported AB 2427 largely in recognition that the state has already made major moves to streamline the permitting process for curbside charging stations for EVs.  AB 2427 was an opportunity for CALBO to serve as a partner with the state in one its most important environmental goals ensuring that we are making critical investments for our long-term public health.  Additionally, industry professionals will have a venue under AB 2427 to discuss how this technology holds up over time.  Assembly Floor analysis available here.  

Challenges and Opportunities for Growth

Although a bill proposal may not be successful in making its way through the process for the Governor’s consideration, there is success in bringing conversations forward – regardless of outcome.  A few measures outlined below stimulated discussions amongst legislative leaders and CALBO’s Legislative Team affording us with an opportunity to share the work of local building departments.  

• AB 2910 (Santiago) – Adaptive Reuse
Originally intended to establish alternative building standards for adaptive reuse projects, AB 2910 was narrowed to Los Angeles and ultimately vetoed.  CALBO successfully advocated for a more uniform approach to safety standards across jurisdictions, ensuring consistency and effective implementation.

• AB 2433 (Quirk-Silva) – Private Permitting
AB 2433 sought to allow developers to hire third-party consultants for plan checks and inspections circumventing local government.  While the measure faced strong opposition from local officials, organized labor, and the professional fire industry, the discussion highlighted essential areas for improving collaboration between jurisdictions and the building industry.

• AB 2489 & AB 2557 – Temporary Help Reporting
These labor-sponsored bills, AB 2489 and AB 2557, proposed extensive reporting requirements for jurisdictions using contractors.  CALBO worked closely with local governments and nonprofits to identify potential disruptions to critical services, contributing to a deeper understanding of the impacts on building operations and processes.

Looking Ahead

As an organization of building officials and local government, we do not like to use the “p-word.”  Politics.  However, political realities and strategies are something that our profession knows quite well even if we do not readily admit it.  The next two-years will undoubtedly be quite political as the state legislature continues to draw away from the collaborative middle and more towards the partisan poles to the right and left.  

Without a doubt, our Governor has proven to have political ambition and will want to maximize his final two-years as the chief executive of the most populous state in the nation.  Newsom has found support with many organizations, some more surprising than others, showcasing his ability to forge relationships, negotiate, and politically maneuver.  

Back on the policy front, we’re already gearing up for the next two legislative years as CALBO.  Our highs and lows in the State Capitol over the preceding legislative session provided valuable insights, helping shape our priorities for what lies ahead.  With numerous bills set to take effect on January 1, 2025, CALBO has been actively participating in local chapter meetings to ensure building departments are well-prepared to implement these changes effectively without hiccup.  

As we look ahead to the next session, we will continue to focus on our fiduciary call to uphold public safety, innovative building practices, and local control.  We will seek to be partners to decision makers and aid in making their goals feasible, while still progressive.  We will continue to meet with our local chapters and convey the messages from local government to those empowered to make a difference at the state level.  CALBO takes pride in our role as an advocate for local government, and we welcome what 2025 will bring us in legislative and regulatory affairs.    

For a full overview of legislative items of interest to the CALBO community, check out our All Bills Report on the CALBO website.  If you have any legislative questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the CALBO Legislative Team at mwheeler@calbo.org.