Below are key bills introduced in 2025 that could significantly impact the commercial real estate industry. While hundreds of bills introduced may have some effect, these have been identified as top priorities due to their potential impact.  |
Clean Up Relief Act of 2025 - Support – Sponsored AB 1435 creates a tax credit for businesses to cover 100% of cleanup costs for unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping. While businesses can currently deduct these expenses as a business cost, the persistent financial burden of repeated cleanups requires additional relief. This bill ensures that property owners have the necessary resources to maintain safe and accessible commercial spaces. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxes.
Boosts EV Fire Safety - Support – Sponsored AB 588 creates a lithium battery safety working group to provide clear fire safety guidance as EV charging and battery storage expand across California. With no statewide standards, property owners and officials face inconsistent regulations and risks. The bill ensures experts develop best practices to enhance safety, streamline compliance, and support smart clean energy investments in commercial real estate. Status: Currently in the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.
Numerous bills were introduced by Assembly and Senate Leadership, both Democrats and Republicans, as well as the State Insurance Commissioner. CBPA is fighting to ensure bills include non-residential in their efforts.
Authorizes Bond Sale to Support FAIR Plan Insurance - Support AB 226 strengthens the financial resilience of the California FAIR Plan Association by authorizing it—subject to commissioner approval—to secure bonds through the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, boosting liquidity and claims-paying capacity. This critical measure helps the association meet its obligations and ensures the stability of basic property insurance for Californians facing challenges in securing coverage through traditional means. Status: Referred to Assembly Rules Committee.
Streamlines Adaptive Reuse Projects - Support AB 507 promotes adaptive reuse projects by streamlining approval processes and offering incentives for repurposing buildings without requiring discretionary review, exemptions from impact fees, and CEQA compliance under certain conditions. This bill facilitates the conversion of nonresidential buildings into affordable residential and mixed-use spaces, fostering both sustainable development and the alleviation of housing shortages. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development and Assembly Local Government Committee.
Housing Accountability Act Updates - Support AB 698 makes critical updates to the Housing Accountability Act, preventing local agencies from unjustly blocking or reducing the feasibility of housing projects. By keeping key provisions intact, this bill supports the development of mixed-use projects that foster diverse, vibrant communities and address California’s housing challenges. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Local Government.
Protects Against Fraudulent ADA Claims - Support SB 84 aims to curtail fraudulent ADA claims by prohibiting construction-related accessibility claims for statutory damages against defendants with 50 or fewer employees unless they receive detailed notice of each alleged violation and fail to correct them within 120 days, thereby shielding them from liability for statutory damages, attorney’s fees, and costs. The bill prevents plaintiffs from circumventing these safeguards by mischaracterizing their claims under the ADA, effectively balancing robust accessibility protections with fair treatment for small businesses. Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee and Appropriations Committee.
Targets Gift Card Fraud - Support AB 710 targets gift card fraud by imposing criminal penalties for unauthorized acquisition, alteration, or use of gift cards and their redemption information. By enhancing enforcement, the bill aims to deter fraudulent schemes and protect both consumers and retailers. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 - Neutral Known as the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025, AB 21 aims to amend the California Constitution to impose stricter controls on state and local taxation. The bill seeks to restrict the ability of state and local governments to raise taxes by restoring a two-thirds vote requirement for local special tax increases. Status: Referred to Assembly Housing and Community Development Department.
Commercial Vacancy Tax - Oppose SB 789 proposes a statewide vacancy tax on commercial real estate, imposing a $5 per square foot tax on properties deemed "vacant." This tax would penalize property owners during economic uncertainty and risk further destabilizing struggling markets. Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
AB 380 amends Penal Code Section 396 to impose stricter controls on price increases of essential goods and services, such as food, housing, fuel, and medical supplies. The bill limits rent increases to 10% in declared emergencies. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Right to Sue Fuel Companies - Oppose SB 222 allows homeowners, businesses, and insurers to seek damages from fossil fuel companies for climate-related disasters, shifting financial burdens away from ratepayers. The legislation will unleash billions in litigation costs, force businesses to shut down, and drive insurance premiums higher for all Californians—without meaningfully addressing climate risks or stabilizing the insurance market. Status: Held in Senate Judiciary Committee.
Excessive Regulations on Fashion Sellers - Oppose AB 405 imposes an excessive regulatory burden on fashion sellers by forcing them to navigate a labyrinth of environmental due diligence requirements—from tracking detailed greenhouse gas emissions to managing chemical and wastewater protocols—that will undoubtedly drive up costs and stifle innovation. Rather than offering genuine environmental protection, AB 405 represents state overreach, subjecting businesses to severe penalties for minor infractions while undermining the economic vitality of the industry. Status: Referred to Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
Contractor Retention Payments - Oppose SB 61 amends the Civil Code to limit the amount of a retention payment with respect to a contract for a private work of improvement. It stipulates that the total retention proceeds withheld should not exceed 5% of the contract price. Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
Statewide ISR Proposal - Oppose If introduced, this bill will dangerously expand CARB’s authority by granting sweeping power to regulate indirect sources of emissions—authorizing the agency to impose new control measures, fees, and statewide reporting programs that override local discretion and impose onerous burdens on communities and businesses, thereby centralizing power in an overreaching agency that undermines local autonomy and economic vitality. Status: Referred to Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. |
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