REALTOR®: SILVAR REALTORS® in Sacramento for Legislative Day
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
On May 1 members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) joined hundreds of REALTORS® from across the state in Sacramento for the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) 2013 Legislative Day. This is the day California REALTORS® meet with their legislators and discuss issues affecting their clients and the industry. REALTORS® are the largest group to visit Sacramento each year and speak to their state Assembly and Senate representatives.
SILVAR members were able to meet with Assemblymembers Paul Fong and Rich Gordon, Senator Jerry Hill and staff of Senator Jim Beall and discussed:
- SB 30 (Calderon) and AB 42 (Perea) conforms California law to federal tax law, making clear that debt forgiven in a short sale is not income. These bills were placed on "suspense files" because they are deemed to cost a certain threshold and are to be eventually considered once the state budget has passed. REALTORS® told their representatives state law needs to conform to the federal tax law and taxpayers "shouldn't be held in suspense."
- REALTORS® oppose AB 905 (Ting), a private transfer tax to fund environmental improvements to a property, which forces a financial burden on future property owners with no oversight, no accountability, and no limit on how long the tax can be imposed, even years after the improvement has been paid for or the usual life of the improvement has been exhausted.
- REALTORS® oppose AB 1164 (Lowenthal), which creates a super-lien for wage claim disputes. Under existing law, trades people and others who work to improve a property can record a mechanics lien against the property for payment for their work. This measure would allow an employee in a wage dispute to record a lien against any property owned by the employer, even property that has no connection to the dispute. REALTORS® explained to legislators that legal remedies for wage disputes already exist. This measure denies property owners due process since the lien can be filed without notice or opportunity to contest the claim; the lien would increase the cost of loans and reduce the availability of lending options for borrowers; and allows an employee's wage dispute to cloud title on all property owned by the owner.
- REALTORS® oppose AB 1229 (Atkins), which would dramatically weaken rent control limitations contained in the landmark "Costa-Hawkins" law. Under this law, new construction of rental units is not subject to local rent control ordinances. This measure seeks to use inclusionary zoning to allow local governments to create zones in which certain mandates are placed on builders. REALTORS® told legislators this measure would discourage the creation of new rental housing at a time when it is most needed.
The legislators thanked SILVAR members for taking the trip to Sacramento. Assembly member Rich Gordon, who represents the 24th Assembly District, which includes the communities of North Fair Oaks, Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, a portion of Cupertino, and the San Mateo County Coastside, said he understands the issues and noted he is glad the market is improving. At the legislature Gordon said they continue to get the fiscal house in order and pay down the state's debt.
"At some point I would like to place more money on improving the quality of education, which has a big impact on our ability sell homes in our areas," said Gordon.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.
» Back to Real Estate Articles