John Nerds Out on California Housing Legislation

Episode 15: Interview on construction defect reform with CA YIMBY's Muhammad Alameldin

How did people figure out how problematic construction defect law was for California housing? How do you balance fixing it while avoiding rewarding sloppy construction? I am joined by Muhammad Alameldin, Senior Policy Advisor of California YIMBY, to talk about the even-nittier-grittier of AB 1903 and its components and evolution.

Episode 13: Housing Bills, 2026 Session Edition

New year, new bills. Union-built high-rises! Reform to owner-occupancy for duplexes! Condo deposit & defect reform! Homes... built in factories? All this and more. ERRATUM: During the episode I said the Trump family "builds" new condos in other states. In fact back in the 90's Trump stopped taking construction risks on development: when you see his name slapped on something new, it's because the actual developer is paying him for the privilege. But he used to be in the business.

Episode 12: The Parking Rebundling Saga, and a potpourri of other 2025 legislation

Closing out what happened in 2025 with a range of other legislation passed, failed, or delayed, with particular focus on a failed (but not doomed!) attempt to undo an obscure parking reform. Next episode: 2026!

SB 79 WINS!

On September 12th, 2025, Senate Bill 79 was passed out of the California Legislature. On October 10th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed it into law. A huge victory for the cause of housing. This is the rest of its story. This episode picks up after passage in the Senate, as it moved through the Assembly, back for one final Senate concurrence lap, and finally through the wine-dark sea of contradictions that is Gavin Newsom.

Episode 10: SB 79 and CEQA, Part 2 (or, Of Trailer Bills and Building Trades)

In which we are brought up to date through the final tumultuous week of the budget cycle. SB 79 receives further amendments & is passed out of the Senate; and on CEQA reform, Newsom steps in decisively.