Silicon Valley REALTORS® joined over 2,000 California REALTORS® in Sacramento in April for the annual California Association of REALTORS® Legislative Day, the one day each year when California REALTORS® meet with their legislators and discuss issues affecting their clients and the real estate industry.
Speaking to REALTORS® at their morning briefing, Gov. Jerry Brown announced the state's economy is currently doing well, thanks to the business sector. "California is the land of sunshine and smart people. That's why people want to be here. Silicon Valley has the smartest people in the world," declared Brown.
Brown told REALTORS® the economy has its cycles, but to stay the course. "REALTORS® are the backbone of what California looks like, of what California is," said Brown.
L.A. Times Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, their luncheon speaker, analyzed the state's political landscape, indicating California has "places of great success and places of great struggle." He said it will be interesting to see how the state plans to implement the $15 minimum wage; how the state will expand the family leave law; and what arises from affordable housing discussions. Other fundamental issues looming over California are education, transportation and water.
According to Myers, this year's state elections may be the last chance to bring new blood to the state legislature, since new legislators will be serving 12-year terms. He said to expect a longer and confusing U.S. Senate ballot for the June 7 primary because of how the names of the 34 candidates seeking to replace retiring Senator Barbara Boxer are laid out on the ballot. Choose only one candidate. Selecting two or more candidates would disqualify your vote, he warned.
Members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® then met with Senators Jim Beall and Jerry Hill, and Assembly members Rich Gordon and Evan Low and asked their support on the following bills:
SUPPORT AB 2693 (Dababneh) – PACE Loan Disclosure, which seeks to change the super-priority status of PACE loans and provide Truth in Lending type disclosures to consumers before they obtain this loan. A PACE loan allows a homeowner to borrow money to finance energy upgrades. The loan is repaid as a surcharge on the property tax. The PACE loan takes primary position to the mortgage, so homeowners may have difficulty refinancing or selling their home if the new mortgage holder, like the Federal Housing Finance Agency, does not allow for PACE loans. If the cost of repaying the PACE loan and any mortgages on the property exceeds the home's purchase price, the seller will be forced to make up the difference.
SUPPORT AB 2760 (Mathis) – Support Animal Regulations seeks to distinguish between a medically necessary companion animal and other animals kept as pets. Service animals, like guide dogs, are trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual. Companion animals simply provide comfort to an individual. They are not afforded the same protections under the law as service animals, even though they are kept as the result of a mental health professional's prescription. AB 2760 will allow tenants to keep a support animal on the property provided that the tenant has a prescription validating the need for the support animal from a California-licensed mental health professional and comply with all federal, state and local requirements, such as vaccination or sterilization mandates.
OPPOSE SB 1053 (Leno) – Sec. 8 Housing Mandate, which forces residential rental property owners to participate in the federal and local government's voluntary Section 8 housing program and endure administrative burdens, such as increased costs due to delays resulting from understaffed housing authorities, and objectionable and burdensome lease terms.
REALTORS® also thanked Gordon, who is termed-out this year and will be leaving government service after 24 years. The legislators thanked REALTORS® for coming to Sacramento every year and explaining how bills can potentially impact their clients and private property rights.
A staunch housing advocate, Gordon said, "I've treasured our relationship. Your visits here are important to us."
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.