On March 24, 2025, EERI joined a coalition opposing California Assembly Bill 306. AB306 would prevent the adoption or modification of new California state and local building standards affecting “residential units” from June 1, 2025 until June 1, 2031, with limited exceptions. This approach is against what EERI recommends in our existing EERI policy statement Promoting the Adoption and Enforcement of Effective Building Codes with Earthquake Provisions in the United States. EERI is concerned that the bill is moving quickly through the House, passing quickly out of two committees.
While the bill's goal is to accelerate housing construction, EERI is concerned that freezing the building code as it pertains to residential units for six years will hamper the state from benefiting from incremental building codes improvements during this time period. The bill's language is vague and introduces questions into what types of residential units would be impacted by this freeze. There is also uncertainty about whether the bill would preclude new local retrofit ordinances or if changes in seismic provisions would be considered eligible health and safety exceptions.
Members can view the opposition letter here (PDF), and join future monthly meetings of California Legislative Subcommittee of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee to continue tracking this bill and join in our opposition advocacy. The next meeting is on Wednesday April 16. Express your interest by joining the mailing list or emailing
