California SB1344: Civil actions: housing development projects.

What the bill says

An act to amend Sections 529.2 and 904.1 of, and to add Section 425.21 to, the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to civil actions. civil actions Civil actions: housing development projects…

From the chaptered text, September 29, 2026:

An act to amend Sections 529.2 and 904.1 of, and to add Section 425.21 to, the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to civil actions. civil actions Civil actions: housing development projects. Existing law provides that in a civil action brought by a plaintiff to challenge a housing development project that meets or exceeds the requirements for low- or moderate-income housing, a defendant may seek an order requiring the plaintiff to furnish an undertaking as security for costs and damages that may be incurred by the defendant if the bringing of the action would result in preventing or delaying the project, as specified. Existing law limits the liability of the plaintiff who must furnish the undertaking to $500,000. Existing law also permits a defendant in a civil action challenging the approval or permitting of a priority housing development project, as defined, to bring a special motion to strike the pleading. Existing law requires the court to deny the motion to strike if the court determines, based on the pleadings, affidavits, and administrative record if applicable, that the plaintiff has established a probability of prevailing on the claim. This bill would increase the above-referenced liability limit to $1,000,000. The bill would also generally apply the above provisions to priority care developments, as defined, that provide supportive housing or other housing assistance in …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christopher Cabaldon (D, SD03) · primary sponsor
• Thomas Umberg (D, SD34)

Latest actions

1. September 29, 2026: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 811, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 29, 2026: Approved by the Governor.
3. September 3, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 27, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 31. Noes 5. Page 6027.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 5.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
6. August 26, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 61. Noes 9. Page 6617.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 26, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
8. August 26, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
9. August 18, 2026: Ordered to third reading.
10. August 18, 2026: Read third time and amended.

Votes

• Unfinished Business SB1344 Cabaldon et al. Concurrence (August 27, 2026): 31 yea, 5 nay, passed
• SB 1344 Cabaldon Senate Third Reading By Haney (August 26, 2026): 61 yea, 9 nay, passed
• SB 1344 Cabaldon Senate Third Reading By Haney (June 29, 2026): 57 yea, 9 nay, passed
• Do pass. (June 9, 2026): 9 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB1344 Cabaldon et al. (May 19, 2026): 30 yea, 7 nay, passed
• Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (April 21, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1344?

SB1344 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Civil actions: housing development projects.

What does SB1344 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Sections 529.2 and 904.1 of, and to add Section 425.21 to, the Code of Civil Procedure, relating to civil actions. civil actions Civil actions: housing development projects…

What is the status of SB1344?

Chaptered as of September 29, 2026. Latest action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 811, Statutes of 2026. (September 29, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1344?

Christopher Cabaldon (D, SD03), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB1344?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1344