Committee advances bill to expand and modernize infill infrastructure grants
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Summary
SB 772 would update the Infill Infrastructure Grant program to emphasize walkability, nature‑based resilience and district‑level planning; the committee passed the bill as amended to appropriations.
SB 772, authored by Senator Cabaldon, would make targeted changes to the Infill Infrastructure Grant (IIG) program to support mixed‑use infill development, prioritize walkability, allow planned transit corridors to qualify, and make nature‑based resilience projects (stormwater parks, levees, wetland restoration) eligible for funding.
Cabaldon told the committee the IIG program—now nearly two decades old—helps finance off‑site infrastructure that makes infill development feasible and lowers the cost burden on new housing projects. "This bill simply tries to continue the evolution of a proven program, including additional provisions about how we promote and measure, and secure the proper commitments for, walking and pedestrian infrastructure in addition to the transit and road infrastructure that are already covered," he said.
Melissa Debreich, chief executive officer of Prosperity California, said SB 772 would help make stalled infill sites financially viable by funding infrastructure and walkable amenities that underpin resilient mixed‑use neighborhoods. She noted the state’s housing shortfall and cited an estimate that California must plan for 2.5 million more homes by 2030; Debreich also referenced a 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers assessment that gave California infrastructure a C‑ minus.
The bill includes provisions to treat adjacent or clustered parcels as a district so financing and affordability requirements can be applied in ways that enable larger, more efficient projects rather than parcel‑by‑parcel mandates that can inhibit construction. Supporters said this would allow flexibility for projects to deliver more total housing units, including affordable units, within a micro‑district rather than forcing identical affordability requirements on each separate parcel.
Committee members praised the bill’s pragmatic approach and its emphasis on climate resilience and walkability; no primary opposition witnesses appeared at the hearing. The committee voted to pass SB 772 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Recorded roll call included members registering aye and committee staff noted the program remains oversubscribed and the changes are intended to make effective use of limited funds.
Supporters asked staff to continue technical work to align the bill with recent housing statutes and to refine metrics for walkability and resilience that will be used as grant criteria. The author accepted committee amendments and thanked staff and stakeholders for their input.
