In recent years, the California legislature has been at the forefront of shaping land use and housing policy through state law, taking increasingly bold steps to address the housing crisis and related urban challenges. The 2025 session continued this trend, advancing a suite of consequential bills on housing production, land use reform, and environmental protections—many of which are now before Governor Newsom for signature or veto by the September 30 deadline.
The 2025 legislative session produced headline-grabbing housing bills and major climate policy shifts. AB 130, signed in June, streamlines CEQA review for infill projects and places a six-year moratorium on new residential building code changes. SB 79, pending the governor’s signature, would legalize more multifamily housing near transit. On the climate side, lawmakers extended the state’s Cap & Invest program through 2046, and advanced a package of wildfire measures—including $18 billion in new utility wildfire funding, stronger zone zero regulations, and expanded support for defensible space and fire safety standards.
Join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion to review the significant legislation passed—and not passed—in the 2025 session. Our panel will break down the key takeaways, analyze the likely impacts on Los Angeles and the wider region, and provide valuable insights for government officials, urban planners, developers, and community advocates alike.
Jesse Zwick, Southern California Director,
Housing Action Coalition
Mahdi Manji, Director of Public Policy,
Inner City Law Center
Michael Rochmes, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator,
USGBC California
In recent years, the California legislature has been at the forefront of shaping land use and housing policy through state law, taking increasingly bold steps to address the housing crisis and related urban challenges. The 2025 session continued this trend, advancing a suite of consequential bills on housing production, land use reform, and environmental protections—many of which are now before Governor Newsom for signature or veto by the September 30 deadline.
The 2025 legislative session produced headline-grabbing housing bills and major climate policy shifts. AB 130, signed in June, streamlines CEQA review for infill projects and places a six-year moratorium on new residential building code changes. SB 79, pending the governor’s signature, would legalize more multifamily housing near transit. On the climate side, lawmakers extended the state’s Cap & Invest program through 2046, and advanced a package of wildfire measures—including $18 billion in new utility wildfire funding, stronger zone zero regulations, and expanded support for defensible space and fire safety standards.
Join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion to review the significant legislation passed—and not passed—in the 2025 session. Our panel will break down the key takeaways, analyze the likely impacts on Los Angeles and the wider region, and provide valuable insights for government officials, urban planners, developers, and community advocates alike.
Jesse Zwick, Southern California Director,
Housing Action Coalition
Mahdi Manji, Director of Public Policy,
Inner City Law Center
Michael Rochmes, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator,
USGBC California
