CaliforniaSB 4862025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Regional housing: public postsecondary education: changes in enrollment levels: California Environmental Quality Act.

Sponsored By: Christopher Cabaldon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

College enrollment data guides housing plans

Councils get CSU enrollment forecasts no more than six months before they set regional housing methods. UC is asked to provide the same. CSU also sends the forecast to the state finance director, Housing and Community Development, and the legislative budget chair. The Department of Finance uses UC/CSU forecasts when estimating household growth for housing need in the fourth and later housing cycles. Starting January 1, 2025, CSU must share trip and travel data on request. For Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino councils, the forecast rule starts in the eighth cycle.

More housing targets for lowest incomes

Starting with the seventh housing element cycle, regions must include units for acutely low and extremely low income households, on top of existing low‑income categories. For the seventh cycle, this change does not apply to councils with a housing element due in 2027.

Faster CEQA review for UC/CSU projects

UC or CSU can skip the “no project” alternative in certain environmental reviews for campus projects. This applies when the campus finds the project is needed to meet enrollment goals and the campus provided the enrollment forecast used in the most recent housing method. The project must also meet specified education or planning laws, or get a written finding from the regional planning body that it fits the regional plan.

Public input and surveys shape housing plans

Starting January 1, 2025, councils must survey member cities and counties within six months before drafting the housing method. Councils must use local fair‑housing survey data when possible, state that answers cannot reduce the region’s total need, and let a city or county submit data if the council does not run the survey. Councils must report survey results, show common themes and barriers, and include anti‑displacement strategies. They must publish the method, data, and explanations online and hold at least one public hearing for comments.

State review and timelines for allocations

Before estimating needs, each council must give Housing and Community Development its data assumptions (like household growth, vacancy, cost burden, and homelessness). The department can accept, reject, or change those inputs and must give written determinations. Starting January 1, 2025, councils must send draft methods to the department; the department issues findings in 60 days, and councils must fix issues within 45 days to gain acceptance. Councils develop the method at least 2.5 years before the next housing element revision. That 2.5‑year timing applies only if AB 650 and AB 1275 are enacted and effective by January 1, 2026, and this bill was enacted after them.

Stronger housing need factors and guardrails

Starting January 1, 2025, councils must weigh more real‑world factors when setting regional housing shares. These include jobs‑housing balance, affordability for low‑wage workers, land and infrastructure limits, climate risk, transit, homelessness, farmworker needs, university demand, overcrowding, and cost burdens. Councils cannot lower a city’s share because of permit‑limit rules, past underbuilding, or a stable population last cycle.

Housing need objections limited; decisions final

A council of governments has 30 days after notice to object in writing to the department’s housing need numbers, and the department must issue a final written decision within 45 days. If the department distributes the regional housing need, individual cities and counties cannot file objections. Once the department issues a final determination, later law changes cannot be used to reopen it.

Local governments cover program costs

The state does not provide reimbursement because local agencies and school districts can charge fees to pay for the program. If the Commission on State Mandates later finds other state‑mandated costs, the state must reimburse under existing law.

When the new housing rules apply

Most changes to the housing planning rules take effect January 1, 2025. Section 4.3 only applies if AB 650, AB 1275, and this bill are all enacted and effective by January 1, 2026, each amends the same section, and this bill was enacted after the other two; if so, Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.2 do not apply. For the seventh cycle, councils with a housing element due in 2027 are exempt from these changes for that cycle.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christopher Cabaldon
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/10/2025

Item 68 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 44 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/20/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 15 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/14/2025

Vote in CX16

Yes: 13 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/18/2025

Vote in CX10

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/27/2025

Item 238 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 39 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/30/2025

Vote in CS64

Yes: 8 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/1/2025

Vote in CS75