Assembly passes SB 611 to limit litigation delays for housing projects consistent with adopted community plans

SB 611, presented in the Assembly by Assemblymember Zabor on behalf of Senator Richardson and sponsored by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, passed the Assembly June 4 with unanimous votes recorded for both the urgency and final measures (66-0).

On the floor, the sponsor’s presenter described SB 611 as an effort to address litigation that pauses development of housing projects already reviewed and found consistent with adopted community plans. "SB 611 seeks to address a key barrier to progress, the unnecessary legal delays that stall housing developments which have already been reviewed and approved," the presenter said, adding the bill "reaffirms the legislative intent behind AB 1515 authored by Assemblymember Friedman in 2019 by ensuring that housing projects consistent with adopted community plans can move forward even if the plans later become subject to litigation." The presenter noted that AB 1515 had a sunset provision and that SB 611 extends certainty for projects moving forward.

The Assembly recorded I 66, No 0 on both the urgency and the measure. Supporters argued the change will reduce delays that leave approved housing projects in limbo; no on-floor opposition was recorded. The measure passed and will proceed per the legislative-concurrence and enrollment process. The floor presentation did not list specific projects or make legislative changes beyond the broad statement that the bill applies to developments consistent with adopted community plans.