Last week, a group of CCAR leaders joined more than 200 California REALTORS® in Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional representatives and advocate for policies that support housing affordability and homeownership. The delegation met with staff from Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s and Congressman John Garamendi’s offices, and some members also met with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.
Discussions focused on several housing-related bills, including the More Homes on the Market Act (H.R. 1340), which would increase the capital gains tax exclusion for homeowners; the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act (H.R. 3526), which would provide greater access to retirement savings for first-time buyers; and the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 2410), which encourages the conversion of underused commercial buildings into housing. Leaders also advocated for the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act (H.R. 1105) to help homeowners better protect properties from natural disasters.
The group also discussed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), a bipartisan housing package designed to increase housing supply, improve affordability, and modernize federal housing programs. The bill recently passed the U.S. Senate with strong bipartisan support and is awaiting final consideration in the House of Representatives before heading to the President’s desk.
The visit reinforced REALTORS®’ commitment to advancing solutions that expand housing opportunities and strengthen communities across California.
Special thanks go out to our State Political Coordinators (SPCs): Michele Manzone (Sen. Tim Grayson), Debi Mackey (Asm. Anamarie Avila Farias), and Leslie Manzone (Asm. Anamarie Avila Farias and Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan). Leslie also acts as CCAR’s NAR Director and Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and plays a key role in connecting REALTORS® with policymakers at every level of government. These members were among the group to travel to D.C. last week, along with President John Fondnazio, President-Elect Donna Souza, Past-President Zina Hall, Treasurer Judy Myers, and CCAR’s Chief Industry Advocacy Officer Heather Schiffman.
Thanks also to the 18 members of CCAR’s Local Government Relations (LGR) Committee for their ongoing dedication to protecting property rights and supporting REALTOR® success throughout our communities. Committee members regularly engage with elected officials and attend local government meetings to ensure REALTOR® perspectives are represented when housing and homeownership issues are discussed.
Your Advocacy Dollars at Work
Last month, CCAR leadership, along with thousands of REALTORS® met with state legislators during Legislative Day in Sacramento to advocate for solutions to some of the most important housing and real estate issues facing Californians today. | PHOTO L to R: Michele Manzone, Cathleen Griebling (Delta AOR), CCAR President John Fondnazio, Senator Tim Grayson, Leslie Manzone, Jody Drewry (Delta AOR), Otto Catrina (Bay East), and CCAR President-Elect Donna Souza.
Supporting Taxpayer Protections
C.A.R. approved support for a statewide ballot initiative that would require a two-thirds vote for local special taxes and plans to increase California’s homeowners’ property tax exemption for the first time in 50 years.
Faster Housing and Infrastructure
The Association will support a California Chamber-backed initiative to streamline the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review process, reducing delays that can impact housing development and economic growth.
Improving HOA Insurance Transparency
Association advocacy efforts in 2026 and beyond will also focus on increasing transparency and consumer protection in homeowners associations, including requiring disclosure of HOA master insurance policies and greater homeowner involvement in insurance decisions.
3 Big Legislative Wins in 2026
Advocacy isn’t just about passing good legislation—it’s also about stopping bad legislation before it becomes law.
So far this year, C.A.R. has successfully opposed several legislative proposals that could have increased costs for homeowners, imposed new burdens on property owners, and created additional challenges for housing providers. Here are three significant bills that have stalled and will not move forward this legislative session:
SB 1404: Stopped Wildfire Prevention Fee on Property Owners :: C.A.R. helped stop a proposal that would have reinstated a wildfire prevention fee on select property owners, adding another cost for homeowners already facing rising expenses in high-risk fire zones. Status: Dead.
AB 1157: Stopped Expanded Rent Control Measures :: C.A.R. opposed this bill because it would have made rent caps permanent, lowered allowable rent increases, and removed the single-family home exemption for individual property owners. Status: Dead.
AB 2064: Tenant Screening Restrictions Abated :: C.A.R. opposed this bill because it would have limited housing providers’ ability to consider criminal history during tenant screening, creating concerns around liability, resident safety, and small property owner protections. Status: Dead.
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