The California Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee convened on July 2, 2025, to discuss critical legislation aimed at enhancing protections for tenants and mobile home park residents affected by disasters. The primary focus was on Senate Bill 610, which seeks to provide immediate legal safeguards for those displaced by emergencies, such as wildfires.

Anya Lawler, representing Public Counsel, emphasized the bill's importance, highlighting the challenges faced by low-income clients in the aftermath of disasters like the Eaton and Palisades fires. Lawler noted that the bill would eliminate the need for local emergency ordinances, thereby streamlining protections for displaced renters and mobile home residents. She expressed hope for future collaboration to refine the bill further, acknowledging that while it may not assist current victims, it aims to prevent similar issues in the future.

Support for the bill was voiced by various stakeholders, including representatives from the California Housing Partnership and Disability Rights California, as well as individual residents like Susan Mills from Sonoma County. They underscored the necessity of the bill in providing clarity and support for those affected by housing loss due to disasters.

Conversely, opposition was presented by representatives from the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association and the California Apartment Association. They raised concerns about the bill's implications for property owners, particularly regarding financial burdens associated with rebuilding and the complexities of insurance coverage. They argued that the legislation could inadvertently force owners into untenable situations, potentially classifying it as a government taking.

Despite the opposition, there was a recognition of the collaborative efforts made to address concerns within the bill. The committee members engaged in discussions about the proposed amendments and the need for further examination before the bill progresses to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

The meeting concluded with a motion to pass the bill as amended, although some members chose not to vote. The committee plans to revisit the bill once all members are present, indicating ongoing deliberation on this significant housing legislation.