Last week, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® convened its 2026 Legislative Day and Spring session of its Board of Directors, bringing members together to advance our shared priorities.

As part of our Leadership Team’s commitment to keeping you informed, here’s a recap of key highlights from the week, including notable discussions, advocacy efforts, and actions taken by the Board on behalf of California REALTORS®.

Legislative Day

Last Wednesday, more than 2,000 California REALTORS® descended on Sacramento to make their voices heard and advance C.A.R.’s legislative priorities. They took real client stories into meetings with more than 90 percent of the state’s legislators and their staffs to help them understand the real-world impact of proposed legislation on California’s communities.

Among the hot issues REALTORS® discussed with their legislators were C.A.R.-sponsored SB 1238 (Wahab), which strengthens HOA disclosures and accountability, as well as SB 1406 (Ward), that C.A.R. opposes, for doubling the liquidated damages cap in new construction condominium transactions.

Members also urged legislators to fund the California Dream for All down payment assistance program and to back Sen. Robert Hertzberg’s ballot initiative, the “California Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act of 2026.”

Sen. Hertzberg joined us for a live taping of C.A.R.’s “Unlocking California Politics” podcast to discuss his $25 billion bond initiative that would increase inventory and ease California’s housing shortage at no cost to taxpayers. This measure officially qualified for the November ballot on April 22.

Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón and Assemblymember Juan Alanis shared their personal stories and perspectives about the future of homeownership and housing. ,

On Tuesday night, our 4th Annual Legislative Day Block Party kicked off the week, drawing strong participation from REALTORS®, legislators and their staffs for an evening of REALTOR® networking. Thank you, C.A.R. members, for making your voice heard and ensuring that Legislative Day was a resounding success. Watch the recap video here.

CCRE Pathways to Entry-Level Homeownership Panel Discussion

C.A.R.’s CEO Phil Hawkins moderated a Center for California Real Estate (CCRE) panel on Tuesday afternoon with state housing leaders. Sen. Aisha Wahab, Asm. Heath Flora, and Sen. Hertzberg explored policy pathways intended to expand entry-level ownership opportunities across California. The conversation reinforced the need for coordinated solutions across government and industry to create a more accessible path to homeownership.

Legislative Update

C.A.R.’s Board of Directors reviewed a wide range of state and federal policy issues affecting housing, taxation, and common‑interest developments.

The Board actions this week focused on ensuring sound governance in common‑interest communities and evaluating major tax and regulatory proposals that reduce transaction uncertainty to ensure that REALTORS® can operate in a stable, transparent market.

Among other actions, the Board adopted a “for” position on two major statewide ballot initiatives. The first, backed by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, would require a two‑thirds vote for all local special taxes and retroactively invalidate those passed by simple majority. It also explores whether to increase the state’s homeowners’ property tax exemption for the first time since 1974. The second ballot initiative seeks to streamline the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process and is backed by the California Chamber of Commerce.

C.A.R.’s Board also received interim updates from the Insurance Task Force, Licensing Task Force and Common Interest Development (CID) Task Force, all of which were appointed by C.A.R.’s Leadership Team to explore critical issues affecting members’ day-to-day business activities.

The CID Task Force’s interim report proposed nine actions — adopted by the C.A.R. Board of Directors — focused on improving HOA insurance transparency, opposing policies that raise costs or compromise safety, and promoting balanced governance. Key measures include requiring a homeowner vote before an HOA underinsures its property, addressing concerns that inadequate coverage could occur without an owners’ knowledge, resulting in financing barriers. The Board also approved sponsoring legislation to require HOAs to disclose master insurance policies to homeowners.

California Model MLS Rules

The MLS Policy Committee examined Seller Concessions and the need for accurate data and transparency. The Committee also discussed the advantages of limiting the display of listing photos after a transaction closes to accommodate buyer privacy concerns, while complying with the MLS laws under the Civil Code. Further, the Committee discussed poll results regarding how Coming Soon listings are handled by listing agents and MLSs.

Together, the following changes modernize MLS policies to better reflect today’s market, enhance the integrity of MLS data, protect consumer privacy, and support REALTORS® in delivering more informed, effective service.

• Seller Concessions – The Board voted to revise the California Model MLS Rules to require that REALTORS® report aggregate concessions with respect to closed sales to the MLS.
• Listing Photos – The Board approved the creation of a new Model Rule for MLSs to automatically limit displaying most photos after closing (other than a main photo) from IDX and syndicated displays.All listing photos would still be available to Participants and Subscribers of the MLS.
• IDX Display of Coming Soon Listings – The Board voted to delete the note in Model MLS Rule 12.16(a) stating that Coming Soon listings are not authorized for IDX display.

C.A.R. Officer Nominations

Mark Peterson will be President for the year 2027; Staci Caplan will be President-elect for 2027; Nikki Coppa will continue to serve as Treasurer for the year 2027, and Phil Hawkins continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer/State Secretary for 2027.

All-Member Townhall Board of Directors Summary Update

As part of C.A.R.’s ongoing commitment to inclusive and transparent Board practices adopted last fall, join us Wednesday, May 6, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., for an all-member virtual webinar. C.A.R.’s Leadership team will recap the Board of Directors meetings and highlight the key issues, decisions, and priorities shaping C.A.R.’s work on behalf of its members. They’ll also provide updates on action items from Sacramento, what C.A.R. is focused on now, and how that work connects to your business and your clients. Register today.

May 4, 2026