Assembly Member Ramos advocates for changes to California density bonus law

The Senate Local Government Committee convened on July 9, 2025, to discuss several legislative items, primarily focusing on housing and development issues in California. The meeting began with a review of file item number 3, AB 385, introduced by Assembly Member Ramos.

Assembly Member Ramos expressed gratitude to the committee and highlighted the purpose of AB 87, which was pulled from the consent calendar for further discussion. The bill aims to clarify that density bonus laws should be utilized for residential purposes only. Ramos pointed out a specific project in her district that exceeded the city's height limit, proposing a 238-foot tower with 139 hotel rooms and only 10 affordable units. She emphasized that the intent of density bonus laws is to promote affordable housing, not to facilitate hotel expansions. Ramos requested the committee's support for the bill, noting the absence of witnesses for opposition.

Support for AB 87 was voiced by representatives from the City of Carlsbad, the League of California Cities, and the City of Encinitas, all expressing their backing for the bill. Senator Searto acknowledged the effectiveness of the bill and indicated his intention to move it forward once a quorum was present.

Following the discussion on AB 87, the committee transitioned to item 2, AB 367, with Assembly Member Bennett taking the floor. Bennett also accepted the committee's amendments and introduced AB 367 as a district bill, although further details on this item were not provided in the transcript.

The meeting concluded with a clear focus on addressing housing development regulations, particularly the appropriate use of density bonuses to ensure they align with the state's affordable housing goals. The committee's discussions reflect ongoing efforts to refine legislation that impacts local communities and housing availability in California.