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A Bill Moving Through Sacramento Would Eliminate Homeowner Rights

Important Update on AB 1903: Significant Progress Achieved, But More Work Remains

Over the past several months, we have worked alongside homeowners, industry partners, community advocates, and legislative leaders to address serious concerns with AB 1903, legislation that could substantially affect the rights of California homeowners facing construction defects.

We are pleased to report that these efforts have resulted in meaningful progress. Through extensive stakeholder discussions, many of the bill's most concerning provisions have been removed or significantly revised. This progress reflects the importance of continued engagement and demonstrates that lawmakers are listening to the voices of homeowners and community associations across California.

We would like to thank Assembly member Buffy Wicks, Senator Tom Umberg, and their staffs for their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and thoughtfully consider the concerns raised by stakeholders throughout the legislative process.

Among the provisions that have been removed are proposals that would have:

• Restricted the use of representative sampling to investigate widespread construction defects.
• Limited the recovery of reasonable defect-investigation costs.
• Created a builder-funded and builder-controlled "certification" program that could have provided immunity from liability for certain defective and potentially dangerous conditions.
• Required homeowners to receive communications discouraging them from exercising their legal rights.
• Imposed an unprecedented requirement that 100% of homeowners in condominium communities approve litigation before construction defect claims could proceed.

These changes represent meaningful victories for homeowners and community associations throughout California. However, the legislation is not yet final. Several important issues remain under discussion, including proposals relating to the California Supreme Court's decision in Aas v. Superior Court and the legal standards governing construction defect claims. It is also critical that any final legislation preserve existing homeowner rights and avoid retroactively eliminating protections that homeowners and associations currently possess.

Legislative leaders have committed to continuing stakeholder discussions in the coming weeks, and any proposed resolution of the remaining issues will be subject to additional review before the bill advances.

We remain actively engaged in this process and will continue working with coalition partners to advocate for balanced solutions that support housing development while preserving meaningful protections for homeowners.

Thank You for Your Advocacy

We are grateful to everyone who has contacted legislators, participated in advocacy efforts, and helped raise awareness about the potential impact of this legislation. Your voices have made a difference. If you have not yet contacted your legislators and would like to help, please review the information available at the link below and consider sharing your concerns. Together, we can continue working to protect the rights of California homeowners and the communities they call home. We will provide additional updates as the legislative process continues.

Click here to send a message directly to your state legislator urging them to oppose AB 1903.

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