Government Affairs Archives - Page 3 of 11 - CCARToday - Contra Costa Association of REALTORS

MLS Tax Suite Series Classes – June 27 & 30

A 4-part training series specifically for CCAR members designed to boost your MLS Tax Suite skills!

PARTS 1 & 2: CRS Data’s MLS Tax Suite, The Basics and Beyond

Join us to learn how to access CRS Data’s MLS Tax Suite directly from your MLS and confidently navigate its features. In this session, we’ll walk you through the platform and demonstrate how to use Simple, Map, and Advanced Search tools effectively. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Property Report, including the many layers of information it contains and links to. We’ll also introduce customization options available to end users and show you how to leverage these features to enhance your workflow.

WHEN:
June 27, 2025 at 10:00 am

Parts 3 & 4: CRS Data’s MLS Tax Suite, CMA & Prospecting

In this session, we’ll walk through how to create a Custom CMA, from start to generating a polished Client Report. We’ll also explore an alternative option: the Quick CMA tool. Both approaches pull in MLS sales data as well as other transfers of ownership, using filters like location, property characteristics, and more. From there, we’ll shift into Prospecting—using similar filters to develop a workflow that helps you find properties, connect with people, and match buyers with sellers. To wrap up, we’ll show you even more ways to customize the platform to fit your personal or business needs.

WHEN:
June 30, 2025 at 10:00 am

C.A.R. Red Alert: Oppose New Property Taxes!

C.A.R. OPPOSES Senate Bill 1105 (Hueso) and Senate Bill 679 (Kamlager) each of which creates an unelected agency with the power to impose a range of new property taxes. Those taxes would make keeping and getting into a home more expensive and difficult, potentially taxing people out of their homes and pushing homeownership out of reach for many of California’s working families. We need YOUR help to STOP these bills!

Here’s how you can help!

Ask your clients, friends, and family to TAKE ACTION! And continue posting on social media!
We are stronger together and your voice will help us defeat SB 1105 and SB 679.

For questions, please contact [email protected].

SB 1105 (Hueso):

SB 1105 grants vast, unchecked, taxing and bonding authority to an unelected Housing Agency Board in San Diego which would consist of 6 appointed representatives, serving 4-year terms that can by resolution, or initiative, impose:

special taxes on real property,
a parcel tax,
a gross receipts business license tax,
a special business tax,
a documentary transfer tax,
a special land value windfall tax, or
a commercial linkage fee.

The proposed Agency requires revenues generated to assist in the construction of housing broadly defined. Revenue which could go to large developers of rental homes and no restrictions on the agency purchasing single family homes which could then further limit the opportunities for home ownership. The costs of solving California’s housing problems should not be placed on working Californians struggling to stay afloat and keep their homes in a tough economic environment, especially when there is a 97 billion dollar state surplus.

SB 679 (Kamlager):

SB 679 would establish a local Housing Agency in LA with a 19 member “governing board” to raise revenues through:

a parcel tax
gross receipts business license tax
a document transfer tax, or
the issuance of bonds to fund affordable housing preservation (acquiring, rehabilitating, deed restricting, etc.).

QUESTIONS?
Please email C.A.R. at [email protected].

Fire Hardening Defensible Space Advisory (FHDS) Local Requirements

Since January 1, 2021, sellers have been required to complete the Fire Hardening Defensible Space Advisory (FHDS) should their property fall within a high to very high fire hazard zone. Per AB 38 this includes properties that fall within a high to very high fire hazard zone; built before 2010; residential one to four properties; condominiums, or other common interest development units; or manufactured home. If the seller is not sure, there is a state website where the property address can be inputted to determine if the proper does fall in high or very high fire zones.

To identify fire zones, visit: Fire Hazard Severity Zones Maps.

In addition to the FHDS requirements, as of July 1, 2021, homeowners are required to also maintain a defensible space between a structure on the property and any flammable grass, trees, shrubs, or wildland area that surrounds it. Sellers of these properties will need to provide documentation that their property follows the defensible space laws, or the buyers will be required to agree to obtain such documentation of compliance in the future.

For the buyer to take on the responsibility, they will need to contact their local Fire District to request an extension to complete the work.

All Fire Districts request that inspection requests be placed as soon as the seller intends to place the listing on the MLS, as it can take a week for the Fire District to respond and make it out to the property.

The seller will need to determine which jurisdiction their property falls in, either the local municipality, Fire Protection District, or CalFire.

MORE INFORMATION:

Fire Districts in Contra Costa County
Defensible Space Law
Additional information from C.A.R.
C.A.R. Defensible Space Law FAQ

Property Management Legal Open Forum – Sep. 30

Property Managers and Landlords!

Property Managers and landlords, the Statewide Eviction Moratorium expires this Thursday, September 30 and C.A.R. wants to make sure you have all the information. On Thursday, September 30 at 11:15am, C.A.R. will be hosting as part of their Reimagine Expo, the Property Management Legal Open Forum where you will receive an update and more information. Registration is required. C.A.R. members only.

11:15am – 12:00pm: Property Management Legal Open Forum: “Landlord/Tenant Laws after the End of the Eviction Moratorium”

| Register >

What Exactly Is the Professional Standards Committee?

If you’ve ever wondered who helps safeguard fairness, professionalism, and ethical practice within our association, look no further than the Professional Standards Committee. While they may work quietly behind the scenes, their role is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of our organization.

So, what do they actually do?

At its core, the Professional Standards Committee is responsible for hearing and resolving matters related to membership duties, ethical conduct, and compliance with MLS rules. When a complaint is filed—whether it’s about an alleged Code of Ethics violation or an MLS rules issue—members of this committee step in as panelists for disciplinary hearings. Confidentiality of all matters pertaining to a complaint is paramount.

These panelists are unpaid volunteers. They give their time as a true act of public service. Their job isn’t to take sides—it’s to ensure that everyone involved gets a fair, unbiased, and respectful hearing.

The Professional Standards Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining trust—within our membership and with the public. Their work helps ensure that our association remains a place where professionalism is expected, ethics are honored, and everyone has a voice.

How a Hearing Works

When a case comes in, a hearing panel is selected from committee members who haven’t been challenged by either party. Before they ever enter the hearing room, panelists must certify that they have no conflicts that would prevent them from serving impartially.

During the hearing itself, the panel makes sure the process follows the procedures laid out in the official C.A.R. Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual. Both sides have the opportunity to present evidence, share testimony, and make their case. The panel listens closely and carefully because their role is to determine what actually happened based solely on the evidence presented.

A few important notes about hearings:

The panel can only consider violations of Articles that are specifically cited in the complaint.
Presentations should be clear, concise, and factual.
Differing recollections don’t automatically mean someone isn’t telling the truth—people often remember events differently.
Everyone is expected to maintain professionalism and decorum, even though the process can feel confrontational at times.
Panel decisions hinge on findings of fact—carefully reasoned conclusions based on all testimony and evidence.

What Happens After the Hearing?

Once both sides have been heard, the panel has two responsibilities:

Determine whether any violations occurred, based on the Articles cited in the complaint.
Recommend any appropriate disciplinary action to the Board of Directors, if violations are found.

Their purpose isn’t to punish—it’s to uphold fairness, ensure accountability, require necessary education, and support the ethical practice that strengthens our entire industry.

The next time you see one of our committee members, feel free to thank them. They’re doing important, often unseen work that keeps our organization strong, fair, and respected. If you would like to join the committee, the new term begins January 1, 2026.

For more information contact CCAR Professional Standards Administrator at [email protected].

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