AB-736 • 2026

The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026.

Elections Housing

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Wicks (A) , Haney (A) , Quirk-Silva
Last action: 2026-04-22
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status as 'Passed Legislature' in the metadata does not align with its current position in committee according to the last action details, which may indicate a discrepancy or an update needed in the metadata.

Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026

The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 authorizes the issuance of up to $10 billion in bonds for affordable housing programs, with voter approval required at a statewide primary election on June 2, 2026.

What This Bill Does

Authorizes the state to issue up to $10 billion worth of bonds.
Uses bond money to fund existing housing programs such as the Multifamily Housing Program, CalHome Program, and Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program.
Requires voter approval at a statewide primary election on June 2, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

People who need affordable housing options.
Government agencies responsible for managing housing programs.

Terms To Know

Bonds: Money borrowed by the government that needs to be paid back with interest over time.
Affordable Housing Programs: Government plans that help people buy or rent homes they can afford.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill will only take effect if voters approve it in the June 2, 2026 election.
It does not specify how much money each housing program will receive from the bond sales.

Bill History

2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HOUSING.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 65. Noes 11. Page 1980.).
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 23).
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-21 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (April 9).
2025-03-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on H. & C.D.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
Introduced measure version corrected.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 736, as amended, Wicks.
The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026.
Under existing law, there are programs providing assistance for, among other things, emergency housing, multifamily housing, farmworker housing, home ownership for very low and low-income households, and downpayment assistance for first-time home buyers. Existing law also authorizes the issuance of bonds in specified amounts pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law and requires that proceeds from the sale of these bonds be used to finance various existing housing programs, capital outlay related to infill development, brownfield cleanup that promotes infill development, and housing-related parks.
This bill would enact the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which, if adopted, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. Proceeds from the sale of these bonds
would be used to finance programs to fund affordable rental housing and home ownership programs, including, among others, the Multifamily Housing Program, the CalHome Program, and the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program.
This bill would provide for submission of the bond act to the voters at the June 2, 2026, statewide primary election, in accordance with specified law.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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