Earlier this month, the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) held its Winter 2025 Business Meetings in Indian Wells, bringing together real estate professionals from across the state to discuss policies and industry priorities.
Representing Santa Barbara at the meetings were SBAOR President Summer Knight, President-Elect Jennifer Berger, and Directors Reyne Stapelmann, Alec Bruice, and Staci Caplan. In addition to our directors, several local members who actively participate in state discussions attended, including Bob Curtis, Ed Fuller, and Todd Shea. SBAOR CEO Brian Johnson and Chief Government Relations Officer Krista Pleiser were also present to engage in key legislative and industry conversations.
These meetings are crucial because the policies and decisions made at the state level directly impact our business locally—from regulations affecting transactions to fair housing policies and legislative advocacy. By having strong representation, we ensure that Santa Barbara REALTORS® have a voice in shaping the future of our profession.
Key Takeaways from the Meetings
Board of Directors Meetings Task Force
A proposal to transition from three in-person board meetings per year to two in-person and one virtual meeting starting in 2028 was defeated. However, discussions continue on how to make meetings more efficient, including streamlining agendas, improving engagement through virtual forums, and reducing scheduling conflicts.
Fair Housing & Transactional Policy Updates
- The Fair Housing Policy Committee has requested a “SUPPORT IF AMENDED” stance on AB 238 (Harabedian & Irwin), which would provide up to one year of mortgage forbearance for properties damaged by catastrophic events without negatively impacting credit reports or transactions.
- The Home Ownership Housing & Transaction and Regulatory Committees took several key positions:
- SUPPORT AB 75 (Calderon) – Ensures homeowners are notified if an insurance company plans to use drones to capture images of their property.
- SUPPORT AB 1 (Connolly) – Requires a five-year review of wildfire mitigation regulations to strengthen protections for homeowners.
- WATCH proposed legislation requiring real estate ads to disclose when images have been virtually staged or altered.
- OPPOSE a proposal to double the ‘Building Homes and Jobs Act’ fee from $75 to $150 per document, which would increase costs on transactions not related to property transfers.
- SUPPORT IF AMENDED AB 306 (Schultz) – Would halt updates to the state’s building code (Title 24) until 2031, aiming to stabilize construction and renovation requirements.
- SPONSOR new legislation to expand Governor’s Executive Order N-7-25, prohibiting unsolicited, undervalued property purchase offers in areas affected by catastrophic events for one year instead of three months and ensuring redevelopment prioritizes homeownership opportunities.
Environmental Sustainability Committee
- OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED the Bay-Delta Plan, advocating for voluntary agreements rather than state-imposed water regulations.
- SUPPORT AB 303 (Addis), which returns local control over permitting battery energy storage facilities, preventing placement in sensitive areas such as homes, schools, and healthcare facilities.
These discussions and policy decisions reflect C.A.R.’s ongoing commitment to protecting homeownership, strengthening real estate practices, and ensuring REALTORS® remain at the forefront of advocacy efforts. Having Santa Barbara REALTORS® actively involved in these meetings helps us stay informed and have a say in the policies that impact our day-to-day business.
Let us know if you would like to learn more or learn how to get involved in our advocacy efforts!
