By Reuben Duarte, Vice President for Policy and Legislation, and Lauren De Valencia, APA California lobbyist, February 2026
It’s bill introduction season!
The deadline to introduce new bills is February 20, and it’s anticipated that we will again see several proposals related to housing and homelessness, in addition to continuing to address California’s climate goals. On the housing front, the Legislature has a new focus on factory built housing and other aspects of housing construction that can help reduce costs. The Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation, chaired by Assemblymember Wicks, has held informational hearings and will likely introduce related legislation this year. On the climate front, the Legislature is continuing their work on energy, both in terms of affordability and reliability, but also on necessary infrastructure. It’s likely we will see more on permit streamlining for related infrastructure to help move the state towards its emissions reductions goals.
As always, we expect hundreds of bills of interest to planners to be introduced. After the bill introduction deadline, we will be working hard to provide you with a comprehensive list of all planning-related bills that have been introduced, which will be posted on the advocacy page of the APA California website and updated throughout the year. The APA California Legislative Team will also be meeting with the Chapter’s Section Legislative Representatives in March to review priority bills. Stay tuned for more updates on specific bills and our activities as the session moves forward!
California State Auditor releases report on the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) Housing Element review process
The California State Auditor issued a report on their audit of HCD’s procedures for reviewing housing elements. This audit was conducted as directed by the Legislature’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee after challenges were identified by many jurisdictions during the 6th housing element cycle. APA California is monitoring for potential legislation this year based on recommendations provided for in the Audit.
Stay connected on legislation
If you’re interested in receiving updates on legislative and regulatory issues from the Chapter’s Policy and Legislation Team, please join here. Have questions on policy and legislative related issues, including bills and regulations? APA California members are welcome to reach out to the VP for Policy and Legislation at policy@apacalifornia.org.
APA California’s work in the Legislature
APA California has a robust legislative program at the Chapter level that engages with the California Legislature. The Policy and Legislation team includes an elected VP for Policy and Legislation, two appointed Legislative Technical Advisors, and a Lobbyist retained by the Chapter.
The team engages directly with APA California Section Legislative Representatives from each of the 8 Sections within the Chapter to discuss feedback on legislation and other relevant issues regularly throughout the year. To view the Policy and Legislation team, visit the Board of Directors page.
APA California actively engages in many bills throughout the year. In fact, we work closely with legislative and committee staff on amendments and clarifications to bills before taking a position.
As an organization, APA California is often asked to provide feedback on planning related bills and provide technical expertise, giving a voice to planners and an opportunity to help shape legislation. This is a valuable role that the Chapter works hard to maintain. More broadly, we will continue to discuss the work planners are doing at the local level to implement and keep up with all the planning related bills that pass year over year and how that relates to the cumulative impact of bills on the table this year. We also continue seek opportunities to suggest tangible ways, absent fiscal resources at the state level, that the Legislature can help to make implementation more successful and support the planning community.