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Committee advances bill to allow state negotiation of discounted construction materials for disaster recovery
Summary
AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate contracts for discounted construction materials for use in declared disaster recovery, aiming to reduce rebuilding costs; the committee supported the bill and moved it to appropriations.
Assemblymember Colusa presented AB 783, a proposal to authorize the Department of General Services (DGS) to negotiate contracts — by bid or negotiation — for commonly used residential construction materials and offer them at cost or with minimal administrative fees to homeowners, contractors, nonprofits and local governments engaged in recovery for declared disasters.
Colusa and witnesses framed the bill around affordability and speed of post‑disaster rebuilding. Ally Saberman of the Housing Action Coalition said higher material costs and supply issues delay rebuilding and disproportionately affect lower‑income households; she said the bill would “help reduce the financial barriers to rebuilding.” A supporter from Abundant Housing Los Angeles and Habitat for Humanity California also spoke in appreciation of the author.
Colusa referenced federal tariffs, supply pressures and news reporting on wildfire damage that have driven construction costs higher; she said negotiated state contracts can lower costs and speed recovery when a declared state of emergency has produced housing losses.
Committee members offered a motion and second; the chair announced AB 7 83 (Colusa) was due passed as amended to the Committee on Appropriations and left the roll open for additional votes. Committee members complimented the author and noted the bill’s potential to help disaster‑headquartered rebuilding efforts.
The committee advanced the measure to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.
