On October 7, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 88, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, and sets minimum health, safety, and oversight standards for drivers employed or contracted by school districts who transport students for any school-related transportation.

Effective January 1, 2025, Government Code section 66323 (Section 66323) was updated to forbid local agencies from imposing any objective development or design standards unless explicitly authorized in Section 66323, leaving public agencies at a loss for what authority they truly have in the process of reviewing, accepting, and denying applications for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

In a recent decision, the California Supreme Court sided with the City of Oakland (City) in an important property dispute, which clarified when lots created prior to March 4, 1972, can be recognized as separate parcels under the Subdivision Map Act (Act).

On September 20, 2024, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 937, amending a section of the Mitigation Fee Act. The changes to Government Code section 66007 went into effect January 1, 2025.

In recent years, California has experienced the most catastrophic wildfires in its history. These wildfires have impacted and continue to impact thousands of Californians, including our public schools, students, staff, and communities.