CalRHA's 2026 Legislative Convening

April 20, 2026

in Breaking News, Legislative,

The California Rental Housing Association (CalRHA) held its annual Legislative Convening in Sacramento on April 14 and 15, 2026. With a record number of attendees representing housing provider communities across the state, members gathered for two days of meaningful conversations and direct engagement with legislators on practical solutions for California's ongoing rental housing challenges.

A Powerful Line-Up

The convening consisted of an informative morning session featuring respected elected officials, and policy and legal experts followed by nearly 80 face-to-face meetings with state legislators over two days.

Presided by CalRHA Board President Adam Pearce and Legislative Action Committee Chair Amy Fylling, the meeting was joined by keynote speaker, the Hon. Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer, who shared her perspective on financing tools and collaborative approaches to expanding housing availability and affordability across California. Her remarks reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships and the funding mechanisms available to help tackle the state's housing problem.

Political strategist Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc. (PDI) provided members with an analysis of the 2026 gubernatorial race and the election landscape for down-ticket races, including how shifting political dynamics are likely to influence housing legislation in the months and years ahead.

Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable briefed members on proposed initiative 25-0006A1, also known as the Save Prop. 13 Act, which would close a current loophole in order to protect the two-thirds vote required for approval of tax increases. He emphasized the importance of staying informed and engaged at the legislative level and the ballot process..

Property rights attorney Austin Waisanen, with the Pacific Legal Foundation delivered an update on the legal front, walking members through the most consequential cases involving property rights, the takings clause and rental housing law, and what the outcomes could mean for the industry going forward. Members were invited to alert CalRHA of potential causes of action in order to coordinate with the Pacific Legal Foundation.

The morning session provided insight into the current political and policy environment heading into meetings with legislators and momentum behind lobby day.

Why Legislative Day Matters

California's housing environment is shaped by the laws and regulations that govern how rental housing is built, managed, maintained, and leased. Every year, more than a hundred bills move through the State Legislature that directly impact our industry. Many of these bills consequently reduce housing availability, discourage investment in maintenance and improvements, or make it harder for property owners to continue to provide quality affordable rental housing.

That is precisely why convening in Sacramento matters. Legislators and their staff are responsible for an enormous breadth of policy areas that compete for their attention. When CalRHA members travel to the Capitol, they bring something that no policy brief or written comment can fully replicate: direct, personal expertise from the people who own, operate, and maintain rental housing every day across California.These conversations humanize our industry and our cause. They replace policy debates with real-world experiences straight from property owners who live it each day.

The other benefit is relationship-building. Relationships are cultivated from good-faith engagement over a period of time to create a foundation of trust. Many legislators begin their political career at the local government level, starting with city council and progressing to county board of supervisors then the state legislature. When CalRHA members connect with legislators in Sacramento, it reinforces that relationship built at the local, broadens it to encompass our statewide trade association, and adds another layer of positive engagement that can be nurtured again in the district and throughout the legislator’s tenure. This component of Legislative Day is arguably the primary objective.

A Strong Foundation for the Work Ahead

The convening demonstrated the growing strength and influence of CalRHA's membership, as well as the association's position in Sacramento as the state’s leading voice for rental housing providers.

The 2026 Legislative Convening set a new standard for CalRHA in terms of attendance, engagement, and legislative reach – but Legislative Day is not an isolated event. It’s one part of a year-round commitment to engagement, relationship-building, and advocacy that all CalRHA members are invited to join.

The foundation laid in Sacramento will continue long after the convening concludes, as policy is debated, bills move through the legislative process, and CalRHA builds on this momentum for the future. We hope you join us next year.

CalRHA leadership with Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio