This year, CCAH, alongside the California Housing Partnership and Enterprise Community Partners, sponsored AB 2089, authored by Assemblymember Ward. While the bill was initially introduced with the goal of advancing meaningful reforms to the property tax welfare exemption process, we’re pleased with the outcome of thoughtful negotiations and collaboration with both opposition groups and committee staff.

You can find the current bill language here. In summary, AB 2089 addresses the highly compressed compliance timeline for annual recertifications required to maintain the exemption. The bill allows for earlier distribution of documents—by November 15 each year—and permits the use of secure, verified electronic signatures. These updates modernize the process and bring it in line with administrative practices widely used across both the public and private sectors.

This week marked a major milestone for our sponsored bill as it was heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. During the hearing, committee members evaluated and debated the bill before voting on its future. Co-sponsor Tiyesha Watts of the California Housing Partnership delivered compelling testimony in support of AB 2089, urging members to advance the bill to the next stage of the legislative process. We’re excited to report that the bill passed with four “aye” votes and one abstention. It now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where it will be assessed for its fiscal impact on the state.

In another encouraging development, CCAH Public Policy Manager Paul Shafer presented the bill to the Board of Equalization at its monthly meeting to request their support. Given the BOE’s role in co-administering the property tax welfare exemption, board members engaged thoughtfully, asking questions and exploring the bill’s implications for counties. We’re thrilled to share that the board voted unanimously to support AB 2089.

With the legislative session nearing its end, the bill is approaching the final stages of the process. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the deadline.