Panel advances AB 712 to increase penalties for public agencies that violate state housing laws

The Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced Assembly Bill 712 on April 30, 2025. The bill would increase penalties on public agencies that violate state housing laws by applying the same requirements that exist under the Housing Accountability Act to other state housing statutes and would end the practice of local agencies requiring housing applicants to indemnify the government against lawsuits arising from agency violations.

The bill’s presenter described AB 712 as an enforcement measure to make housing laws meaningful by providing consequences for noncompliance. The presenter said the bill is part of a fast-track housing package and described recent state efforts to make permitting easier and more predictable.

The committee record shows AB 712 was advanced; the transcript notes Republicans did not vote on the roll call while Assemblymembers Alanis and Ta recorded aye votes. The hearing excerpt did not include the full roll-call tally.

The presenter said the Department of Housing and Community Development would incur minor state costs to provide technical assistance and to inform local governments of compliance concerns.

Why it matters: Supporters argue that statutory requirements are ineffective without enforceable penalties; AB 712 would broaden enforcement tools used for housing law compliance and limit local indemnity requirements.

What’s next: The bill advanced out of Appropriations Committee and will continue through the legislative process; specific amendments or final vote counts were not recorded in the hearing excerpt.