[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6150526,"mediaKeyId","5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770","parentId",5507755,"title","State Board of Equalization holds hearing on modular housing, insurance and permitting hurdles for wildfire rebuilds","audioSeconds",6583,"startMs",2027000,"endMs",8610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770&start=2027&end=8610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770/thumbnail_2027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6150526/California/State-Board-of-Equalization-holds-hearing-on-modular-housing-insurance-and-permitting-hurdles-for-wildfire-rebuilds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150526-11a185184c38df5fa9c1658244f594f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104860&Signature=MH8nWGixZfYe4LiLOZOwqSucqg3N4JH7UcMazm9U4qt42gmSMg2UtjvRLKm-sBA90ISKOOHx6xz0Ve8~SxdR0CsrfjE9rYXKKjqEJLY0YFWX0bAIaMMfX1OpfoFUGQR8YfSsc~~ZWyUbzMqjozAhqb3oh21YDCRa7TSXf185zfibrOjbA7HayiYXHZQEifZtZwdnSrpr0L7rV3lC75ePyYu6FZjZl4155PuMdDXx595l-jatjoSGGJ1PQ1Ofa50RP-VUeq81VaS6eXWieQLJ3XCsAyLhDvCapaH772o5ZkpamnRin~I0QmMTORAnVEzCtNeiK7-G8ODQTD-ydoO3GA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Board of Equalization","date","2025-07-30T00:02:22Z","article","The State Board of Equalization held an informational hearing July 29 in Sacramento to examine how modular and factory‑built housing could help communities rebuild after wildfires and increase affordable housing supply. Board member Tony Vasquez convened the session to gather industry, labor and policy testimony so the board can advise assessors, legislators and state housing agencies.

Why it matters: California faces repeated wildfire losses and a long housing shortage. Witnesses said factory building can cut construction time from many months to weeks and potentially lower per‑unit costs, but several practical barriers — insurance coverage, permitting delays, local inspection capacity and factory scale — must be addressed before modular production can be relied on for large post‑disaster recoveries.

Industry and nonprofit witnesses outlined capacities and problems. Bea Stotzer, founder and board chair of New Economics for Women, described a planned pilot that would deploy factory‑built ADUs for displaced families after the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires and urged state support for pre‑approved ADU designs and a wildfire ADU recovery loan program. “Modular housing is significantly less expensive and much more time efficient than traditional construction,” Stotzer told the board while warning that local permitting and on‑site inspections were creating long delays.

Manufactured‑home and modular builders detailed production timelines and financing constraints. A builder who identified himself as Manny Holmes said HUD‑code manufactured homes can be completed in factories in 10–14 days and delivered to a site in weeks, but that lenders and insurers are unfamiliar with modular financing. “We can basically get them back home for between 200 and $300 a foot,” he said, describing a turnkey offering for wildfire victims that includes permitting and installation.

Remo Homes, a California‑based prefab company, presented a technology‑forward approach borrowed from aerospace. Cofounder Vamsi Kotla and CTO Ryan Blowers described vacuum‑insulated panels and factory quality control designed to cut waste and operating costs. Dr. Partha Datta said advanced materials used in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing could raise fire‑resistance and energy performance while reducing landfill waste. Kotla said a three‑bedroom model could be produced for about $220 per square foot and called for coordinated public incentives for factory investment and workforce training.

Model Z and Sola Impact representatives argued for factory capacity inside California to cut transport risk and to standardize apartment‑style modular units. Bill O’Neil, vice president of capital markets at Sola Impact, said a Los Angeles factory already in operation reduces logistical uncertainty and can hasten housing delivery. “What this has done for us is it has eliminated what I’m going to call transportation risk,” O’Neil told the board.

Labor and workforce representatives urged that factory growth include union‑scale jobs and apprenticeship pathways. Chris Hannon, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, said the trades will adapt to new methods but insisted public incentives require labor standards and training set‑asides. He pointed to a Full Stack Modular factory in Carson as an example of a factory operating with labor‑peace agreements and union labor on site.

Common barriers and board takeaways: witnesses repeatedly flagged insurance acceptance as a bottleneck — insurers sometimes classify modern modular homes like older mobile homes and refuse standard homeowner policies — and urged state actors to engage the insurance industry and consider incentives tied to verified fire‑resistant standards. Panelists also asked the state to allow third‑party inspections to speed approvals, to expand pre‑approved modular design libraries at HCD, and to pair demand‑side housing incentives with supply‑side factory credits so manufacturers can sustain production through housing market cycles.

No formal action by the board was taken; the hearing was informational. Board members said staff will prepare a report and follow up with stakeholders, and several requested further analysis on insurance, financing tools and inspector capacity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 29, 2025 BOE Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The State Board of Equalization held an informational hearing July 29 in Sacramento to examine how modular and factory‑built housing could help communities rebuild after wildfires and expand affordable housing supply.","taxTitle","Board of Equalization, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",16214,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150506,"Board adopts 57 revised property tax forms to enable electronic filing and ADA compliance",725,10965000,11690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770&start=10965&end=11690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770/thumbnail_10965000.jpg","/articles/6150506/California/Board-adopts-57-revised-property-tax-forms-to-enable-electronic-filing-and-ADA-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150506-16c66e600a046bfa336eb03683692d0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104860&Signature=IFi4nHKLoqATFia3N8eRFf1vPE1p890nWW-~tZ-Ze5fk-p8SDJxJ7R2zNhSZfwtzhXf3vdZCMFQwl9I0FQDjEu7Ncyg8LSl5qO884Do3R2d3njCuHNK1kdJi2Csh4W0WNwCsZ8SS6vCy5-NmPKg1~DmC3Ntzg-Qmk6bTvg9f~DaRe4PZQIVpI9xEK3OCHhgDtq6l1i9UDY3xe3rp4D0PW9YOJVx~R20XEwmKbH5muZWLIna2NzUYgcTRUanUKBOmGG-FDd6kOTj7gRFf01b8kWhmOqYiFehRm3xe3G8VADUNbtGpLKBfpEFp7Me4yGIZSUnnKnHNFCUE2hhb319g0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","What the board did: On July 29 the State Board of Equalization approved 57 revised property‑tax forms updated for electronic filing, penalty‑of‑perjury language and ADA compliance.

Why it matters: The updates implement statutory changes that require penalty‑of‑perjury language for electronic signatures and clarify electronic filing rules. BOE staff worked with county assessors’ form subcommittees and accessibility teams to update language and to align county‑level practices with the board’s forms. Deputy Director David Young explained the forms are available to counties immediately and that the assessor association participated in the annual review.

Vote and process: The motion to adopt the package was made and seconded at the meeting and passed by roll call. Board members thanked staff for the major undertaking to update forms and noted the improvements will make filing easier for taxpayers and county offices.

Next steps: Staff will publish the revised forms on the BOE website and notify county assessors that the ADA‑compliant forms are available for use.","The board adopted a set of 57 updated property tax forms on July 29. The revisions standardize penalty and e‑signature language required by recent statute and improve ADA compliance and assessor usability.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150511,"Board approves informational hearings on welfare‑exemption financing (Aug. 20) and workforce housing by public agencies (Sept. 16)",448,10284000,10732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770&start=10284&end=10732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770/thumbnail_10284000.jpg","/articles/6150511/California/Board-approves-informational-hearings-on-welfareexemption-financing-Aug-20-and-workforce-housing-by-public-agencies-Sept-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150511-9846fcdcbf27b8519ace01b3b46ddf86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104860&Signature=EszXMkfEsG4t34zzghdrhK9FZUYBKivkBo~A5375UjgKqAXR2lhHHK27us8Qnq2A88cC4ISfwwv7ali2jRzA~vbYeDQgawvLzn0fJFtJ~8fGNK2wSux16VtMfZ3AnsdY4QFkEFWG2HHJn2zlm-SwnIM0IvzXp5NVlOoBgHz5V99KnhCottRCbdB2OcWmvVT72MesrlsDpOLFbSLvOCA8dGKNaf56isqGNva~UN-hYKY8P6VYU14fB4A4KpUz7WronH23Yo4hbMmfE0KXsPruNM0oqDLeMYLaJyQf1tKgWGqDzHAlr3KLUk5SqH92iVSEHYddrUos1nLs-cIM3TjwGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Equalization voted July 29 to hold two follow‑up informational hearings. Board member Tony Vasquez secured approval for a hearing on property tax welfare exemptions and affordable‑housing financing and streamlining options to follow the board’s August 20 Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights meeting. The board approved the time slot and asked presenters to keep remarks to 10–15 minutes with questions to follow.

Member Schaeffer and Vice Chair Lieber successfully moved and seconded a separate proposal to hold an informational hearing on workforce housing developed by public agencies on Sept. 16, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workforce hearing will explore how public employers and agencies can provide housing for essential workers, with examples such as the federal Good Neighbor Next Door program and other models under consideration.

Both motions passed by roll call without dissent. Board members asked staff to invite authors from UC Berkeley’s Turner Center and other stakeholders to provide testimony and to focus presentations to keep hearings within the allotted time.

No regulatory actions resulted from the votes; the hearings are informational and intended to gather testimony to inform future staff recommendations.","The board voted to schedule two informational hearings: a Welfare Exemption and affordable‑housing financing hearing on Aug. 20 following the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights hearing, and a Workforce Housing by Public Agencies hearing Sept. 16 to explore public‑sector development options.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150517,"Board adopts 2025 state assessed roll and private railroad‑car assessments; private railroad car tax rate set at 1.151%",3557,9533000,13090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770&start=9533&end=13090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770/thumbnail_9533000.jpg","/articles/6150517/California/Board-adopts-2025-state-assessed-roll-and-private-railroadcar-assessments-private-railroad-car-tax-rate-set-at-1151","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150517-101ac421deac0d73fa6061caa3602f01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104860&Signature=k3WGGqxVDvYEfk0tqkNjKtwhTMK8GEk7GGcY0boyLMC-9nGNDf4UYW0xlXaq5uw2W3d7n0jcDBgtX0ejh9tF~opDUAPIdSQ90Ax7zv02n7GJA1sCJLjGuUulpS5-IuREejOyUlc6W86Kcl9EHQEvQL0wAGjR5C4dXx~k3EQFV26JKQ4WZwoRVmfOmEtsz0xKapRWokxsFqW~k-OV1VU0~VUWpU4DvGTEwSABZzMnItafXQTRkI8wEYvjN~1NG5iq06T3atCtyVZaaC0whOjviJtpdOhbzNniwgscp0wmLjAkH~HvggqxQYjRj4slohuFIqKhDjCE7JYcSHmLR6qR-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","What the board did: At its July 29 meeting in Sacramento the State Board of Equalization adopted the 2025 state assessed property role — the allocation of unitary values to counties after staff adjustments and prior board actions — and separately adopted the 2025 private railroad‑car assessment roll. The adopted state assessed role totals roughly $164 billion in assessed value.

Private railroad car tax rate: Staff reported the private railroad car tax rate for 2025 as 1.151% (down from 1.153% the prior year). The rate is computed annually under Revenue & Taxation Code section 11,403 and is used to calculate each private railroad car taxpayer’s tax liability.

Roll adoption votes: Both the private railroad‑car roll and the statewide allocation of state‑assessed values were adopted by recorded roll calls. The private railroad‑car roll and the state assessed roll each passed unanimously in the public roll calls recorded during the meeting.

Why it matters: The state assessed roll and private railroad car bills provide the assessments that counties use to prepare property tax bills and remittances to the state general fund; errors in the roll were corrected by staff during the meeting in three instances after assessors identified calculation mistakes.

Key staff and votes: Jack McCool, chief of the State Assessed Properties Division, and Pamela Denopoli, manager, presented the roll items. The private railroad car tax rate was presented for information; adoption of the private railroad car roll and the state assessed roll were acted on by motion and passed unanimously (chair and members recorded as voting “Aye”).","The Board adopted allocations of unitary state assessed values to counties and approved the private railroad car assessment roll. The private railroad car tax rate computed by staff for 2025 is 1.151%, down slightly from 1.153% the prior year.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6150521,"CAL FIRE warns 90% of homes that ignite in wildfires are lost; urges defensible space, home hardening and grants",4004,7986000,11990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770&start=7986&end=11990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5507755-2923bcb7a3d2bdb358c95ae99dda6770/thumbnail_7986000.jpg","/articles/6150521/California/CAL-FIRE-warns-90-of-homes-that-ignite-in-wildfires-are-lost-urges-defensible-space-home-hardening-and-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150521-348971408600dc3940f05b2b22aeebcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104860&Signature=I19VrHOzwZxyD7~KRETYasZdxL37QfEdJGrQarsVN85GgwoFIpfkx8TGP36r94igoTvDPVSkB6eAhp2zsR5lHy8fQ6C2NCcfnunqxtm3e0M~als2Fbn0SDHJ3FnqfIfp23HNz7GlkYygzbSMcH8btlAmcXiWxnTpxqxgGyukjK8wlw3xOpvuadLPDGiFKvp6JLXFvNOvMM8gLDFq5CHA9pp9Y12xWDvxoN0r7UmH8u9BsGxhOfxLcn0WiqSnYW76vNQPXr~q4avSyO-cSe0Zl4R~0UPHW~GpkFapbnSoRJTHaKRbyA54yZ~mpQBDa4fysxSctkOiRRjF8UZwxrfovw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Director Frank Bigelow of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) told the State Board of Equalization on July 29 that homes that ignite in wildfires have a greater than 90% chance of complete destruction, based on damage‑inspection data.

Nut graf: The presentation framed how wildfire losses reduce property tax rolls and underscored several state mitigation priorities: clear vegetation immediately adjacent to structures, adopt home‑hardening measures (noncombustible siding, class‑A roofs, enclosed eaves and ember‑resistant vents), expand retrofit grants and coordinate with insurers on verified wildfire‑resilience standards.

Bigelow said CAL FIRE’s damage inspection database (DENS) and recent research show the area within five feet of a structure is the highest‑risk zone for ember ignitions and advised homeowners to remove combustible materials there. He outlined ongoing state steps: updating hazard maps, placing new part‑7 building‑code wildfire requirements into law effective Jan. 1, 2026, piloting a home‑hardening grant program that can provide up to $40,000 per household, and collaborating with research partners — IBHS, NIST and UL — on lab testing and standards.

Bigelow also described investments in firefighting capability: new S‑70i helicopters, S‑2T and C‑130 air tankers and expanded local and statewide mutual aid, and he noted CAL FIRE’s role in reforestation seed banks and fuels‑reduction grant programs.

Board members asked about insurer engagement, the relationship between hazard and parcel‑level risk, and whether rebuild standards will be enforced in high‑hazard and local responsibility areas. Bigelow said CAL FIRE is working with the Department of Insurance and others, that hazard and risk are different and should be modeled at the parcel level, and that homes in very‑high‑hazard zones will be required to meet the tighter home‑hardening and defensible‑space rules where they apply.

No board action was taken; members requested that CAL FIRE return with more detail if the board pursues further property‑tax or rebuilding policy recommendations.","Deputy Director Frank Bigelow told the State Board of Equalization on July 29 that homes that ignite in wildfires have a greater than 90% chance of being destroyed. He described state programs for defensible space, home hardening pilot grants and updated mapping and building code changes to reduce losses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State Board of Equalization holds hearing on modular housing, insurance and permitting hurdles for wildfire rebuilds

Board adopts 57 revised property tax forms to enable electronic filing and ADA compliance

Board approves informational hearings on welfare‑exemption financing (Aug. 20) and workforce housing by public agencies (Sept. 16)

Board adopts 2025 state assessed roll and private railroad‑car assessments; private railroad car tax rate set at 1.151%

CAL FIRE warns 90% of homes that ignite in wildfires are lost; urges defensible space, home hardening and grants