Gov. Jerry Brown signs housing bills into law

The package includes a controversial fee on real estate transactions

Governor Jerry Brown (Credit: Getty Images)
Governor Jerry Brown (Credit: Getty Images)

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of housing legislation into law on Sept. 29, ending the months-long debate on the controversial bills aimed to curb the state’s housing affordability crisis, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The 15 bills included in the package had been held up in the Assembly up until Sept. 15, the last day in the legislative session. Sen. Toni Atkins’ Senate Bill 2, which charges a fee on all real estate transactions, was among the most contested bills and only passed thanks to an unexpected, last-minute Republican vote.

Brown’s signature was expected — he indicated he would sign the bills after they passed the Assembly.

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Other controversial bills that will now become law include Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 35. SB-3 will put a $4 billion housing bond before voters on November 2018 and Senate Bill 35 will allow developers to bypass some of the review process for new housing development.

“These new laws will help cut red tape and encourage more affordable housing, including shelter for the growing number of homeless in California,” Brown said in a statement. “Today, you can be sure we got 15 good bills. Have they ended the need for further legislation? Unfortunately not.”

The governor signed the bills into law at the Hunter’s View public housing project in the San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. [SB]Natalie Hoberman