Late yesterday, June 30, 2025, the California Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, AB 130. While this bill is being hailed as a measure to expedite housing and reduce costs, it included language that will make it more difficult for community associations to enforce rules by capping fines at $100, unless “the violation may result in an adverse health or safety impact on the common area or another association member’s property.” This language was amended into AB 130 on June 27, 2025, and passed on June 30, 2025, without any committee hearings or opportunity for public engagement.
The language in AB 130 is similar to that in SB 681, which CAI-CLAC had opposed and was in negotiations with the author.
It is unfortunate that Legislative Leadership and the Governor took the action to add this language to AB 130 with no regard to the impact on community associations. CAI-CLAC will immediately start to develop a strategy for next session to address this issue. However, in the meantime, since AB 130 is designated a budget bill, it takes effect immediately. This means all associations will need to review and revise their violation policies in order to comply.
This complete disregard for the more than 55,000 associations and more than 13 million residents of community associations, is exactly why we need help more than ever to create relationships with legislators and show them the value associations bring to California.