Rivas’s fed bill helps homeowners accommodate aging parents
U.S. Rep. Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley, including Pacoima and Panorama City) this week introduced the Multigenerational Family Tax Credit Act of 2026, a bill that will help families afford the home upgrades needed to accommodate their aging parents.
Specifically, the legislation would create a refundable tax credit focused on multigenerational families. The refundable tax credit would be for 50% of all eligible expenditures with a cap of $8,000 per taxable year.
Qualified multigenerational housing expenses include any expense related to improving the safety, mobility, or accessibility of the taxpayer’s principal residence. This could include items such as grab rails in the shower, building an additional bedroom, or installing a lift to assist individuals going up or down stairs, among other eligible expenses.
A qualified relative includes individuals who are 65 or older or is disabled and lives with the principal taxpayer in the principal residence. The legislation calls on the Treasury Secretary to issue regulations or guidance to help facilitate the tax credit.
“It should be easier – not harder – for families to make their homes safer and more accessible for aging family members who live with them. My Multigenerational Family Tax Credit Act allows families to make the necessary safety and accessibility upgrades without worrying about cost,” said Rivas.
“By providing refundable tax credits to supplement necessary housing upgrades like grab rails, lifts, and extra bedrooms, families will no longer have to worry about cost when they welcome an aging relative to live with them,” the lawmaker added.
Pérez’s bill requires insurance companies to insure fire-safe homes
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) yesterday introduced the Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes Act (SB 1076) to ensure homeowners who make their homes fire-safe can obtain and keep home insurance.
The bill addresses wildfire survivors’ concerns that they could lose home insurance coverage after rebuilding, even if they meet the highest wildfire safety standards. SB 1076 would require insurance companies to offer homeowners’ insurance to Californians who meet home hardening and defensible space requirements set by the State Insurance Commissioner.
Californians who have not experienced a wildfire face the same uncertainty. Enrollment in the insurer of last resort, the FAIR Plan, has doubled in just two years as hundreds of thousands of homeowners across California have lost their original insurance coverage.
“To help fire survivors return home, we need assurance that newly built, wildfire-resilient homes will receive insurance coverage. Homeowners who meet or exceed safety standards should not be met with coverage denials,” said Pérez.
“I’ve spoken with Eaton Fire survivors whose newly built homes will meet the highest levels of protection against wildfires but still fear they won’t be able to purchase insurance. Being denied coverage after meeting safety standards sends the wrong message and is akin to being penalized for doing the right thing. SB 1076 will ensure that our communities’ insurance needs are met by making coverage available to them for making existing neighborhoods safer,” the lawmaker added.
The bill is co-sponsored by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network and Consumer Watchdog.
Harabedian bill would reduce court backlogs in LA County
Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia) this week introduced AB 1950, legislation designed to reduce crowded trial dockets and accelerate access to justice in Los Angeles County by expanding the use of court-ordered mediation.
Under current law, judges may only order civil cases into mediation when the amount in controversy is less than $75,000. This threshold fails to reflect the size, complexity, and volume of cases within the Los Angeles County court system, the largest in the state, where disputes often involve higher amounts and place significant demands on judicial resources.
“AB 1950 will give Los Angeles County courts the tools they need to better manage growing caseloads, reduce costly delays for litigants, and deliver timely resolutions,” said Harabedian. “Expanding access to mediation will ease pressure on our courts and help create a justice system that is more efficient, equitable, and responsive to the people of Los Angeles County.”
The bill also has the backing of Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
“The Superior Court of Los Angeles County remains steadfast in advancing innovative solutions that expand and expedite access to justice. In response to an unprecedented surge in civil filings, we are proud to collaborate with Assemblymember Harabedian and key stakeholders on AB 1950,” said Tapia. “AB 1950 authorizes judges to order resolution-ready cases into the Court’s well-established mediation programs, where skilled mediators to provide up to three hours of mediation at no cost to the parties. By leveraging the power of mediation as an efficient pathway to resolution, while fully preserving every party’s right to a timely trial, AB 1950 will help resolve disputes more quickly for litigants and safeguard limited court resources.”
AB 1950 would authorize judges in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to refer any civil case to mediation, regardless of the amount in dispute. The measure establishes a time-limited pilot program set to sunset on January 1, 2032, allowing the court to evaluate its effectiveness.
By giving parties early opportunities to resolve disputes collaboratively, AB 1950 aims to ease congested trial dockets, reduce judicial backlogs, lower litigants’ costs, and accelerate the delivery of justice.
This bill will be heard in Assembly policy committees during the spring.
Long Beach opens small biz makeover and grant program
The City of Long Beach this week announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), an award-winning program designed to support entrepreneurs and help advance small businesses toward success and sustainability.
Level Up LB will assist 20 small business owners with supportive services, workshops and $10,000 in grant funding to help take their small business to the next level.
“Small businesses drive our local economy and provide more than half of jobs in Long Beach,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “With another round of Level Up LB, we’re reaffirming our commitment to the entrepreneurs who create jobs, spark innovation and help shape a stronger, more connected economic future for our city.”
Level Up LB will connect selected entrepreneurs with essential business support, resources and comprehensive workshops focused on strengthening business and marketing plans. Upon completion of an eight-week course, selected businesses will receive grant funding to help them grow.
Applications will be open through Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026. Information regarding eligibility requirements is available at longbeach.gov/levelup.
The City’s BizCare staff will provide in-person technical assistance with the application process on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 9 am to noon, and Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Adult Career Services site (4811 Airport Plaza Dr.).
Additional times and locations will be made available on the Level Up LB webpage as they are scheduled.
