See main story: ‘Housing crisis’ tops state’s legislative agenda this year

Here are some of the key housing bills introduced in the California Legislature this year:

SB 2: Would impose a $75 fee for recording up to three real estate documents related to foreclosures, refinancings and business and property development filings. It would not apply to recording deeds from property purchases or the transfer of deeds for owner-occupied homes. The bill is projected to raise $250 million to $300 million a year, which could be enough to support the construction of 3,500 to 5,000 affordable units annually when paired with other funding sources, officials said. The California Association of Realtors, which opposed an earlier version of the bill, now supports it. Author: Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.

SB 3: Would authorize $3 billion in bonds for affordable housing. Funds would go toward construction of new housing for low-income residents, as well as infrastructure for such housing. It also would provide some mortgage assistance for low-income buyers. Author: Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose.

AB 71: Would raise an estimated $300 million by eliminating the state mortgage interest tax deduction on second homes used by their owners. The money would support tax credits for construction of affordable housing. It would not affect a homeowner’s mortgage deduction on federal taxes. The author maintains the state needs to make sure all Californians have roofs over their heads before providing tax breaks to people with two homes. The California Association of Realtors opposes the measure, saying it will harm resorts and homeowners who commute to a second home for work. Author: Assemblymember David Chiu, D-San Francisco.

AB 72: Appropriates funds to the state Attorney General’s Office to enforce the state laws requiring local governments to provide adequate affordable housing. Author: Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles.

SB 35: Creates a streamlined approval process for multi-family developments that are in “infill” areas and jurisdictions falling behind on providing housing for all income levels. Author: Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco

AB 73: Authorizes cities and counties to create housing sustainability districts that qualify for streamlined environmental review. Authors: Assemblymembers Chiu; Anna Caballero, D-Salinas; Rob Bonta, D-Oakland; and Ash Kalra, D-San Jose.

AB 1505: Reinstates inclusionary zoning rules for rental units that were overturned in a lawsuit filed by Los Angeles developer Geoffrey Palmer. Under inclusionary zoning, local governments require developers of market-rate housing to include units affordable for low- and moderate-income residents. Assembly Member Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica.

AB 352: Would prohibit local governments from banning micro-units as small as 150 square feet, also known as efficiency units. Santiago argued micro-units are needed to increase affordable, low-cost housing and to reduce urban sprawl. Author: Santiago.