Event Coverage
SILVAR Members Convene with State Leadership on Legislative Day
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Sacramento, SILVAR leaders and members joined REALTORS® from all across the state gathered for Legislative Day, which gave them the opportunity to meet and discuss real estate-related issues directly with their state legislators and staff.
The morning briefing took place at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, with 2026 C.A.R. President Tamara Suminski giving the introductory remarks. She thanked all members for attending and said that the conversations with their local legislators were critical to the success of the real estate profession.
"We are standing together as the REALTOR® Party to make a real impact," she said. "Because we know that homeownership equals opportunity, aspiration, and ultimately, stability. We REALTORS® make a difference every day in our communities. We change lives through the work we do because the work that we do matters."
C.A.R. President-elect Mark Peterson also thanked members and shared that this was his 26th year at Legislative Day: "Together we can be the voice that protects the dream of homeownership. We are one body, and today we have one voice."
Legislative leaders who spoke at the morning briefing included Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (SD-21) and Assemblymember Juan Alanis (AD-22).
"Homeownership is the single biggest source of generational wealth and right now that door is closing for so many," said Alanis. "Four out of five families are being locked out because they're unable to afford their homes. When we lose homeownership, we lose everything that works in our communities, our foundation."
Limón explained that at the state level, discussions and plans are taking place to alleviate the state housing crisis: "We know we need more housing and we've supported over 500 measures. We've invested $1 billion for new housing and we've increased housing production in high transit areas. We've boosted production of student housing and streamlined permitting for junior ADUs. We have done so much and will continue to do more."
Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Sanjay Wagle gave an overview of the hot-button issues to address with local elected officials.
REALTORS® asked legislators to sponsor and provide support for Senate Bill 1238 (Wahab) on HOA transparency. This bill mandates standardized disclosures from HOA managers and defines a formal duty of care for those managing HOAs. It also restricts HOA boards and management from using reserve funds for legal defense against homeowner lawsuits, except when the litigation concerns the specific purposes of those reserves.
Legislators were asked to vote yes on this bill because it safeguards entry-level opportunities for homeownership, bolsters protections for consumers, shields property owners from potential financial detriment, and codifies the professional responsibilities of HOA managers.
Members were also called upon by C.A.R. to fight AB 1406 (Ward), a bill that would more than triple the existing limit on liquidated damages for buyers of newly built, owner-occupied condos. By allowing developers to use buyer savings to fund construction, AB 1406 undermines critical and long-standing consumer safeguards and disproportionately harms homebuyers, especially those who are first-time buyers. It also does not guarantee that units will be built.
REALTORS® rallied in support of the California Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act of 2026. This initiative, spearheaded by former Senate majority leader and state Assembly speaker Bob Hertzberg, is designed to expand the housing supply and provide more homeownership opportunities for the middle class. To address the state's housing shortage, the act proposes funding low-interest second mortgages for new single-family residences through revenue bonds instead of tax increases.
Hertzberg addressed members on this bond initiative at the morning briefing and explained that the nature of state leadership requires dialogue and understanding. He said, "In simplest terms, politics is [asking], 'what did you do for me lately?' And that's why the middle class feels like they're left behind. I want to take this nationally. It's critical to the country. We will see results but need you as part of the advocacy effort."
And finally, REALTORS® advocated for the ongoing backing of the California Dream For All (DFA) Shared Appreciation Loan. This state-sponsored initiative assists first-time, first-generation homebuyers by offering up to 20% of the purchase price, with a maximum limit of $150,000, to be used toward closing costs or down payments.
After the Legislative Day morning briefing, SILVAR members gathered with other Bay Area-based REALTOR® associations for a buffet lunch, followed by a full afternoon of legislator meetings. The schedule began with a fireside chat with Assemblymember Diane Papan (AD-21) and MTC Commissioner Gail Papan, who also previously served as a city council member.
Assemblymember Alex Lee (AD-24) agreed that the housing crisis needed to be alleviated through more pathways to homeownership, especially for younger generations and first-time homebuyers. He thanked REALTORS® for remaining neutral on AB 1240, which aimed to restrict corporate ownership of single-family homes and passed the Assembly.
State Senator Dave Cortese (SD-15), while acknowledging that he still needed to closely review AB 1406, stated that its components did not sound like something he would support. Members thanked him for supporting SB 1238 and the California Dream for All program.
Assemblymember Marc Berman (AD-23) shared that on a personal level, his mother is a REALTOR®, so he is aware of the issues that impact the profession. He reflected on how much homeownership had changed since he became a first-time homeowner 15 years ago, especially with HOA regulations.
On consumer protections, he said, "You want to make sure there is transparency and there are guardrails."
Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis gave a warm welcome to members and explained that her own career began in real estate. She spent several years working for her father, Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, who is the founder and owner of AKT Development in Sacramento. She urged members to continue their work in advocating for the industry.
"It may be a lot to ask all of you to come here," she said, "but it's critically important . . . The real action is happening here in Sacramento . . . The housing crisis is an 'everything' crisis."
Kounalakis is currently running for California State Treasurer and vowed to address housing as a major issue in her budgeting priorities.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (AD-26) reiterated his support for improving home affordability and championing various pathways to achieving homeownership.
"No one knows the need for down payment assistance more than Silicon Valley," he said. "I know morale is really low right now for REALTORS® and a lot of it is the tyranny of Sacramento, but please know you have a lot of allies. We are building a stronger coalition to help achieve that American Dream."
Senator Josh Becker (SD-13) said that, like Ahrens, he too would continue supporting California Dream For All and expressed hope for the State Senate to be future-minded when passing legislation in front of them.
"We may have some real opportunities," he said, "and we need to think about expanding our rainy day fund, but programs like this are also where we put a lot of money. We have to start laying the groundwork for next year."
SILVAR wishes to thank all members who attended this year's Legislative Day to strengthen the voice of real estate in support of solutions that expand pathways to homeownership!
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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.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.