California must build more residences to address its housing shortage. One solution, AB 1633 by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), is on its way to the Governor, after final legislative approval today. The bill strengthens the state’s Housing Accountability Act (HAA) so that neighbors and local jurisdictions can no longer abuse the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to unnecessarily delay or block housing projects, if all legal requirements have been met.

“We’re in a housing crisis, and we can no longer afford to let opponents of a development abuse CEQA to unnecessarily prolong the approval process that prevent projects from moving forward. That only keeps the availability of housing units low and prices high,” said Ting. 

AB 1633 promotes climate-friendly infill housing in the most location-efficient areas, and opponents would no longer be allowed to require “more study,” once legally-sufficient environmental review has been conducted.

A “backyard revolution” is underway in California, thanks to the policy and budget actions taken by the state Legislature in recent years on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – affordable housing more commonly known as backyard cottages, granny flats or in-law units. They are now poised to play an even great role in easing these state’s housing shortage.

In SB 104, a budget bill now headed to the Governor, there’s an additional $25 million for the highly successful ADU Grant Program, which provides approved homeowners with up to $40,000 in pre-development costs like design and site prep. This funding would complement the $100 million allocated last year and could result in up to 2,500 new ADUs. But these funds were exhausted within months because of demand.

The California Legislature today approved AB 881, the Be the Jury pilot program, by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), allowing five counties to increase jury pay in criminal trials from $15 a day to $100 a day for low-to-moderate income jurors. The pilot program seeks to see whether a higher stipend results in juries that are more racially and economic diverse. 

“Californians from all backgrounds are entitled to serve on juries. When financial hardship determines whether someone can be participate in our democracy, we miss out on a diversity of perspectives. Studies show when juries are more reflective of the communities they serve, they spend more time in deliberations and are less likely to presume guilt, which help defendants get a fair trial,” said Ting. “AB 881 helps ensure the accused gets a jury of their peers.”