In a last-ditch attempt to save the year’s most controversial housing measure, supporters of a stalled bill to overhaul California’s zoning rules are pressuring the state Senate leader to resurrect the legislation.

After the Appropriations Committee last week killed Senate Bill 50 for the year, the measure’s backers have come out in force, calling for the decision to be reversed. Dozens of affordable housing developers and activists, labor groups and other community organizations have sent letters to Senate leaders, urging them to save the bill that would bring taller, denser apartment buildings to California neighborhoods. Mayors of major cities across the state, including Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, have rushed to the bill’s defense.

Though experts say it’s a long shot — and opponents say the bill deserved to die — SB 50 supporters are calling on Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins to make a bold move and override the decision to kill the bill. The supporters’ swift response shows just how much importance they place on SB 50 — both as a tool for easing the housing crisis and as the glue holding together their ambitious package of housing legislation. They had hoped to present a set of bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has made housing one of his top priorities, to sign this year.

“We can’t wait,” said Amie Fishman, executive director of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, which co-sponsored the bill by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco. “And so this is a call for action to not just sit on this bill and let it wait but to move it and give it a chance for the discussion and the debate and the vote it deserves.”

But opponents of SB 50 — and there are many — cheered the bill’s death knell. Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and one of SB 50’s chief critics, said efforts to bring the legislation back this year are “too little, too late.”

“There is a tremendous amount of opposition,” he said. “This wasn’t one senator deep-sixing this bill.”

SB 50 would allow developers to build duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in neighborhoods throughout California — even those currently zoned only for single-family homes — and permit four and five-story apartments near public transit stops. The bill has garnered intense backlash from city officials loathe to lose control over what gets built in their jurisdictions, and activists worried it will accelerate gentrification and displace low-income families.

“People do not think that Sacramento knows better what they need than their local elected officials,” Weinstein said.

Wiener was not immediately available for comment Tuesday but has tweeted that he’ll keep fighting for the bill.

Moments before SB 50 was to face a key test in the Appropriations Committee last week, committee chair, Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, made it a “two-year bill,” meaning it won’t be eligible for a Senate floor vote until January 2020. The unexpected move set off a firestorm among supporters.

Atkins has until May 31 to act.

“The question is whether she would want to expend that political capital to override the decision of a chairperson whom she had a hand in putting in that position,” said David Garcia, policy director for UC Berkeley’s Terner Center for Housing Innovation. He added that he’s never seen the president pro tem exercise that authority before.

So far, Atkins has indicated she won’t.

“I will not circumvent the decision made by the Appropriations Committee Chair on SB 50,” Atkins wrote in a written statement. “Regardless of my own personal feelings about this critical issue, part of my job as the leader of the Senate is to uphold the authority and decisions of committee chairs and take into consideration the views of committee members.”

Newsom, who expressed disappointment when the bill stalled last week, on Tuesday said he’s meeting with Atkins and “processing options.”

“Unlike the president of the United States, I recognize my limitations,” Newsom told reporters during an event in Oakland to discuss his new homelessness and housing task force. “I alone cannot determine the fate of particular bills.”

LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group Archives A woman walks toward friends at a homeless encampment where she lives next to Highway 101 and Interstate 280 in San Jose, California, on Saturday, February 3, 2018. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group Archives)

Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group A shopping cart and what appears to be a person sleeping on the sidewalk are photographed near downtown San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. Santa Clara County did its annual homeless count today. Teams of volunteers drive around and identify and record any signs of homeless in the area. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

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Charles Nelson, 64, a resident of Hope Village, uses a wheelbarrow to move possessions out of his tent at the Hope Village homeless encampment on Saturday March 30, 2019 in San Jose. (Cody Glenn for Bay Area News Group)



Charles Nelson, 64, a resident of Hope Village, and his dog "Lucky" move out of their tent at the Hope Village homeless encampment on Saturday March 30, 2019 in San Jose. (Cody Glenn for Bay Area News Group)

Volunteers, from left, Dolores Delaney of Campbell, Darby Cunning of San Jose and Tiffany Lung of Cupertino, help to tear down tents at the Hope Village homeless encampment on Saturday March 30, 2019 in San Jose. (Cody Glenn for Bay Area News Group)

An example of a "tiny home" for the homeless at a recent demonstration at San Jose City Hall. (Ramona Giwargis/Bay Area News Group)



A rendering of a tiny homes plan for the homeless in San Jose. (Courtesy of Gensler/City of San Jose)

Some tents are photographed near railroad tracks in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. Santa Clara County did its annual homeless count today, where teams of volunteers drive around and identify and record any signs of homeless in the area. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

A man who was rescued from Coyote Creek is restrained before being placed in an ambulance near Tuers Road in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. The man ran into the creek at the sight of San Jose police officers on patrol around a homeless encampment, according to authorities. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)



View of a new homeless encampment where two fires in the last two weeks have occurred on Story Road onramp to southbound US 101 in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 22, 2018. Earlier, San Jose city councilman Tam Nguyen hosted a press conference in which he took Caltrans to task for not addressing the new and grown homeless encampment. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

View of a new homeless encampment where two fires in the last two weeks have occurred on Story Road onramp to southbound US 101 in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 22, 2018. Earlier, San Jose city councilman Tam Nguyen hosted a press conference in which he took Caltrans to task for not addressing the new and grown homeless encampment. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Downtown Street Team crew members Dawn Tran, left, Sherry Flores and Dannie Columber pick up some trash off the homeless encampment at the Story Road onramp to southbound US 101 in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 22, 2018. Earlier, San Jose city councilman Tam Nguyen hosted a press conference in which he took Caltrans to task for not addressing the new and grown homeless encampment. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)



A homeless person stands in the homeless encampment at the Story Road onramp to southbound US 101 in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 22, 2018. Earlier, San Jose city councilman Tam Nguyen hosted a press conference in which he took Caltrans to task for not addressing the new and grown homeless encampment. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Sherry Todd packs up her belongings as her homeless camp under the Highway 101-280 interchange is cleared out by the California Highway Patrol, Monday morning, Feb. 5, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Gabriella Mendez packs up her camp at a homeless camp under the Highway 101-280 interchange as it is swept by the California Highway Patrol, Monday morning, Feb. 5, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)



Tony Paiz extinguishes a campfire at his homeless camp under the Highway 101-280 interchange after the California Highway Patrol swept the area Monday morning, Feb. 5, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Mario Candel poses for a portrait at the homeless encampment where he lives off Felipe Avenue next to the 101 and 280 freeways in San Jose, California, on Saturday, February 3, 2018. CalTrans recently notified residents of San Jose's largest homeless encampment since the "Jungle" that it will evict them with a massive sweep on Monday morning, February 5. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

Jacquline Bojorquez, 39, poses for a portrait at the homeless encampment where she lives off Felipe Avenue next to the 101 and 280 freeways in San Jose, California, on Saturday, February 3, 2018. CalTrans recently notified residents of San Jose's largest homeless encampment since the "Jungle" that it will evict them with a massive sweep on Monday morning, February 5. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)



David Martinez, 21, poses for a portrait at the homeless encampment where he lives off Felipe Avenue next to the 101 and 280 freeways in San Jose, California, on Saturday, February 3, 2018. CalTrans recently notified residents of San Jose's largest homeless encampment since the "Jungle" that it will evict them with a massive sweep on Monday morning, February 5. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

RVs are seen parked on South 7th Street in San Jose on Dec. 5, 2017. Government officials and homeless advocates have seen an increase in the number of working poor residents living in RVs on public streets. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Patrick Burke (aka Cowboy), 55, and his dog Tyson pose for a portrait at a homeless camp they share with Audrey Apodaca near a freeway offramp in San Jose, California, Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)



(Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group) A homeless woman walks past a pile of trash illegally dumped along Felipe Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. The area underneath the 101 and 680 interchange has become a large homeless encampment. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

(LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group) After handing out backpacks with basic supplies, San Jose Police Department Sgt. Barry Torres, right, chats with Jesus Gonzalez Fentanez, 57, left, and Monica Corona Fuentes, 48, center, who are homeless in downtown San Jose, California on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)

Monica Corona Fuentes, 48, right, who is homeless, tries on a bandana she received from the San Jose Police Department along with a backpack filled with basic supplies in downtown San Jose, California on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. (LiPo Ching/Bay Area News Group)



San Jose Police Department cadets, Eugene Chernyavskiy, at left, Kenneth Justo, and Carlos Sanchez, help assemble care bags for the homeless at the department's police academy on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

Care bags for the homeless are gathered in a box after being assembled by San Jose Police Department cadets at the department's police academy on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

Renee Manuel, who participates in the onRoute22 program, is photographed at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, October 26, 2017. onRoute22 is a nonprofit that offers homeless women support and classes in a group setting to help them get back on track. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)



Lucy, Alvarez, who participates in the onRoute22 program, is photographed at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose on Thursday, October 26, 2017. onRoute22 is a nonprofit that offers homeless women support and classes in a group setting to help them get back on track. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group)

Mike Wilmarth rides his bike past a homeless encampment that he lives in on Wood Street in West Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Trash and debris is piled along Wood Street near a homeless encampment in West Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Residents had to throw out items that got wet in recent rains. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Residents of a homeless encampment visit with each other along Lake Merritt Boulevard near Peralta Park in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

One of twenty Tuff Sheds converted into rooms to house two people is seen during a media tour of the newest Tuff Sheds community at Northgate Avenue and 27th Street in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, May 7, 2018. This is the second Tuff Sheds community opening to address the homeless crisis. (Laura A. Oda/Bay Area News Group)

A homeless person takes cover as rain falls near Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Robert Harris packs his belongings at a homeless camp in Lakeside Park on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. The city of Oakland cleared encampments in the park. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

A pedestrian with an umbrella walks past a homeless person seated on a sidewalk in China town during scattered showers in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 09, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

A homeless person takes cover as rain falls near Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018. Clearing the smoky air from Butte County's Camp Fire, this is the first major storm to hit Northern California in more than seven months. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



An upset Nenina Parker throws a box of food to the ground as the Oakland Police Department clears out a homeless encampment on a city-owned lot at the corner of Edes and Elmhurst Avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

A man collets some belongings as the Oakland Police Department along with city workers clear out a homeless encampment on a city-owned lot at the corner of Edes and Elmhurst Avenues in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group)

A tent is photographed at a homeless encampment at the corner of Edes and Elmhurst Avenues on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)



Community members gather in front of a homeless encampment at the corner of Edes and Elmhurst Avenues on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The camp is on city property, and officials want to have the campers removed and the site cleared. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

A man sets a tent up in a homeless encampment known as 'The Village' on the 2200 block of East 12th Street in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept . 11, 2018. Early morning part of the encampment was burned down by a one-alarm fire. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Nate Moon, of Northgate Neighbors, right, talks with Kevin Greene at the Northgate Avenue homeless encampment near 27th Street in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Moon lives near the encampment and works with the homeless. Greene, 38, has been homeless for about 10 months. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)



Oakland police officers monitor city workers as they clear an E 12th Street homeless encampment off 23rd Ave, known as “The Village,” on Thursday Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

Crews work to clear a homeless encampment off E 12th Street and 23rd Ave in Oakland on Thursday Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

Former residents of the E 12th Street homeless encampment in Oakland's Fruitvale district, known as “The Village,” cross International Boulevard after city workers cleared the camp on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)



An Oakland officer watches a former resident of a homeless encampment off E 12th Street and 23rd Ave known as “The Village,” haul their possessions as the city clears the encampment on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

Linda looks down International Drive after crossing the street with a cart full of belongings she salvaged from an East 12th Street homeless encampment, called “The Village,” which city officials cleared on Thursday Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

Judy Elkan of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group talks to a former resident of the East 12th Street encampment known as “The Village” as crews work construction equipment to demolish the camp and relocate its residents on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)



A former resident of the E 12th Street homeless encampment off 23rd Ave in Oakland moves to roll his cart of belongings down the street after city officials cleared the camp, known as “The Village,” on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

Meanwhile, supporters aren’t giving up. Fishman and representatives of 39 other organizations, including AARP California, Habitat for Humanity California and the California Apartment Association, sent a letter Monday to Atkins, imploring her to resurrect the bill.

Brian Hanlon, CEO of pro-housing activist group California YIMBY, accused Portantino of abusing his power by denying SB 50 a vote.

“California YIMBY is just getting started — and we’re not going to be dissuaded by a few dirty tricks from politicians who think they can get away with this,” he wrote in an emailed statement. “We intend to fight back, again and again, until our leaders understand the status quo is unacceptable, that we need more affordable homes right now.”

Fishman worries that the death of SB 50 could derail efforts to pass other housing legislation, including pending renter-protection bills that won’t be as effective without a development-focused counterpart. AB 724, which would have created a rental property data registry, died in the Appropriations Committee last week. AB 1481, which would prohibit most landlords from evicting a tenant without an approved reason, and AB 1482, which would cap rent increases in the state at 5 percent per year plus the rate of inflation, still were awaiting votes on the Assembly floor.

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Controversial California housing bill to move forward after compromise Now, it remains to be seen whether the outcry from SB 50 supporters will have any impact.

“Legislators listen when their constituents speak up, certainly,” Garcia said. “That being said, it’s hard to tell, because it’s still unclear exactly why this bill stopped when it did.”