Existing law, the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, regulates persons engaging in the business of making residential mortgage loans or servicing of residential mortgage loans, as administered by the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation. A willful violation of any provision of the act constitutes a crime, as specified. The act requires a trust account to be placed in a non-interest-bearing account in a federally insured depository institution, a federal home loan bank, or other similar government-sponsored enterprise, except as specified. This bill would authorize a financial institution, as defined, to deposit hazard insurance proceeds in an interest-bearing account in a federally insured depository institution, a federal home loan bank, a federal reserve bank, or another similar government-sponsored enterprise. Existing law requires a financial institution that makes loans upon the security of real property containing only a one- to four-family residence in this state or purchases obligations secured by the property and that receives money in advance for payment of taxes and assessments on the property, for insurance, or for other purposes relating to the property to pay interest on those amounts to the borrower, as specified. Existing law prohibits those financial institutions from imposing any fee or charge in connection with the maintenance or disbursement of money received in advance for the payment of taxes and assessments on real property securing loans made by the financial institution, or for the payment of insurance, or for other purposes relating to that real property, which would result in an interest rate of less than 2% per annum being paid on the moneys received. Existing law defines the term financial institution for purposes of those provisions to include, among other things, savings associations. This bill would require a financial institution that makes loans or purchases obligations as described above and that holds hazard insurance proceeds in a loss draft account pending property rebuilding or repair to pay interest on those funds at a rate of at least 2% simple interest per annum, except as specified. The bill would require that interest to start accruing on the effective date of the bill, as specified. The bill would prohibit those financial institutions from imposing any fee or charge in connection with the maintenance or disbursement of hazard insurance proceeds held in a loss draft account pending rebuilding or repair of the real property that would result in an interest rate of less than 2% per annum being paid on the amounts held. The bill would specify that the above provisions do not apply to hazard insurance proceeds held in a loss draft account that are required by a state or federal regulatory authority to be placed by a financial institution other than a bank in a non-interest-bearing demand trust fund account of a bank. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Asm. John Harabedian
Sponsored bills
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, provides for the adoption and administration of zoning laws, ordinances, rules and regulations by counties and cities and the implementation of those general plans as may be in effect in those counties or cities. In that regard, existing law requires each local agency, by January 1, 2025, to develop a program for the preapproval of accessory dwelling unit plans. This bill would require each local agency, as defined, to develop a program for the preapproval of single-family and multifamily residential housing plans, whereby the local agency accepts single-family and multifamily plan submissions for preapproval and approves or denies the preapproval applications, as specified. The bill would require a large jurisdiction, as defined, to develop this program by July 1, 2026, and a small jurisdiction, as defined, to develop a program by January 1, 2028. The bill would authorize a local agency to charge a fee to an applicant for the preapproval of a single-family or multifamily residential housing plan, as specified. The bill would require the local agency to post preapproved single-family or multifamily residential housing plans and the contact information of the applicant on the local agency's internet website. The bill would require an application for preapproval to include a statement by the applicant that the applicant has sufficient authority, license, or ownership interest in the plan to submit the plan for preapproval and, if approved, posted as described above. This bill would prohibit the preapproval program from applying to single-family or multifamily residential housing plans intended for use in certain communities and developments, as specified. The bill would require a local agency to either approve or deny an application for a single-family or multifamily residential housing unit, both as defined, within 30 days if the lot meets certain conditions and the application utilizes either a single-family or multifamily residential housing unit plan preapproved within the current triennial California Building Standards Code rulemaking cycle or a plan that is identical to a plan used in an application for a single-family or multifamily residential housing unit approved by the local agency within the current triennial California Building Standards Code rulemaking cycle. The bill would also provide that its provisions do not prevent a local agency from voluntarily accepting or admitting additional plans at higher densities in additional zoning districts into the preapproved housing plan program, at the local agency's discretion. Existing law requires each county and each city to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the county or city, and specified land outside its boundaries, that includes, among other specified mandatory elements, a housing element. That law requires the planning agency of a city or county to provide by April 1 of each year an annual report to, among other entities, the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Existing law requires the annual report to include, among other things, the city's or county's progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs, as specified. This bill, beginning on April 1, 2027, for large jurisdictions and beginning on April 1, 2029, for small jurisdictions, would require the local agency to include in its annual report the number of units of residential housing that are approved using a preapproved housing plan pursuant to this act. By imposing new duties on local agencies with regard to developing a preapproval program and its annual report, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. Existing law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) , requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment. CEQA does not apply to the approval of ministerial projects. To the extent that the ministerial review process established by the bill would apply to final, discretionary approval of an application for a single-family or multifamily housing unit, the bill would exempt those projects from CEQA. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
This measure would call on members of the United States Congress to oppose reductions to funding that negatively impact educational services for students with disabilities and would call on the President of the United States and Congress to ensure that services and funding for students with disabilities are uninterrupted.
This measure would recognize February 2025 as Black History Month, urge all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month, and encourage the people of California to recognize the many talents of African Americans and the achievements and contributions they make to their communities to create equity and equality for education, economics, and social justice. The measure would also recognize the significance in protecting citizens' right to vote and remedying racial discrimination in voting.
Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution, not a bill with policy changes. It recognizes key historical milestones of transgender people in California, including Indigenous gender diversity documented in 1775, 19th-century transgender figures in San Francisco's Tenderloin, early activism like the 1959 Cooper Do-nuts Riot, and legal precedents such as Sir Lady Java's 1967 employment discrimination case. The resolution has no binding effect and does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups. It serves solely to honor these historical contributions.
Maddy summaryThis House Resolution designates September as "Student Parent Month" in California. It recognizes the approximately 400,000 student parents across the state - over half a million children - and aims to raise awareness of their needs. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but encourages colleges, policymakers, and communities to honor student parents and support their educational success. It follows California’s prior legislative actions (like AB 2881 and AB 2458) that established concrete support mechanisms for student parents.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 2025 as "Chicano Heritage Month" in California. It symbolically recognizes the historical contributions of Chicanos/Chicanas to U.S. society, including their role in cultural, educational, and political movements. The resolution encourages all Californians to acknowledge and celebrate this heritage, without creating new programs, funding, or legal requirements. It directly affects the public by promoting awareness of this cultural identity, aligning with similar declarations like Santa Ana's 2021 adoption. The resolution was unanimously passed by the California Assembly on August 25, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a bill), designating August 2, 2025, as California Disc Golf Day and the month of August 2025 as California Disc Golf Month. It recognizes disc golf's historical origins in California and its community benefits, including physical activity and mental well-being. The resolution has no policy impact, funding requirements, or direct effect on any individuals or organizations. It serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of the sport's popularity.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 50 designates November 25, 2025, as "Elimination of Violence Against Women Day" in California. It also recognizes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on that date and urges policymakers to advance year-round efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic statement of commitment from the California State Assembly. It directly affects the state government and policymakers by formally acknowledging the issue and encouraging ongoing action.
The California Constitution establishes the Citizens Redistricting Commission, which is required to adjust the boundary lines of congressional, Senate, Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts in the year following the year in which the national census is taken at the beginning of each decade. This measure, which would include a legislative finding that it is in response to redistricting in Texas in 2025, would, notwithstanding the authority of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, require the state to temporarily use the congressional districts reflected in AB 604 of the 2025–26 Regular Session for every congressional election until the new congressional boundary lines are drawn by the commission in 2031.