By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Hahn, Solis lead to raise unpaid rent threshold
Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn (D-Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) and board chair Hilda Solis D-Downtown LA, East LA, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Pomona) yesterday saw their motion directing County Counsel to draft an ordinance raising the threshold for formal evictions from one month to two months of Fair Market Rent in unincorporated areas pass the full board.
In their motion, the two lawmakers cite the devastating impact of recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County, with some communities experiencing a marked decrease in economic activity in addition to families losing breadwinners, and businesses losing customers and employees.
The ordinance would apply to unincorporated areas under Los Angeles County’s direct jurisdiction, which collectively house about 1 million residents.
“I understand that with this proposal, I am going to face pushback from both sides – tenants advocates who don’t believe I am doing enough, and landlords who think I have gone too far,” said Hahn. “This is a modest but necessary increase. With this additional month, I hope we can give families some breathing room while not putting the entire burden on landlords who depend on rental income to pay their own bills.”
“In the face of inhumane federal actions and ongoing threats to immigrant families, the County has taken concrete steps to protect renters. These are not symbolic gestures, but real actions that meet the needs of those impacted. Raising the threshold to two months provides important protection against eviction while recognizing that many renters will still have to pay back unpaid rent to their landlords. These steps ensure renters have real, immediate protections while the County continues to use every available tool to help families stay in their homes,” said Solis.
County Counsel has 30 days to return to the Board with the proposed ordinance.
Mitchell celebrates 100th Anniversary of Black History Month
Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Southwest/Central Los Angeles, including Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, Culver City, portions of South LA) yesterday saw the full board approve her motion proclaiming the County’s support of the nationwide celebration of Black History Month – which has reached its 100th anniversary this year.
Black History Month originated with “Negro History Week,” established in February 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and the ASALH, to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This evolved into a month-long celebration and President Gerald Ford formally recognized it in 1976.
“This is perhaps one of the most important Black history months I have celebrated in my entire lifetime. And I’m clear that the whole goal of Carter G. Woodson and others in declaring it, was that we reflect on the pioneering Black leaders whose accomplishments are a part of this country’s history and whose shoulders we all stand on. But I’m also clear that that’s not enough this year,” said Michell.
“I think the way in which I’ve celebrated it my whole life and the intention was to really educate some and perhaps convince others that Black excellence just is. This year, I’m really not just interested in salutations and platitudes of acknowledgement, or any kind of mere verbal recognition of the role African Americans have played in this country. This Black History Month I am singularly interested in action.
“The fact that Black people make up about nine percent of LA County’s population but are overrepresented in our unhoused population living on the streets of LA, then this Black History Month and every day – I believe our policies and investments should ensure that they are seen valued and housed.
“This Black History Month should be the year that we pledge to remove the cancer of anti-Blackness and of anti-immigrant from our communities, from our country and from our very own county.”
Zbur Introduces Legislation to Reduce Retail Permitting Delays
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica) this week introduced AB 1693, legislation to reduce permitting delays for retail storefronts and help retail businesses open and operate in a timely, predictable manner — especially those still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, recent natural disasters, prolonged vacancies and other significant economic challenges.
The California Retailers Association and the WC3 Chambers of Commerce — a coalition of nearly a dozen chambers in Westside Los Angeles — co-sponsored the bill, which would establish a professional certification program to expedite building permit approvals for retailers undertaking interior renovations in existing buildings.
“Brick-and-mortar retailers are essential to vibrant neighborhoods and local economic recovery,” said Zbur. “When unnecessary permitting delays keep retailers from opening their doors or revitalizing an existing building, it hurts workers and communities. AB 1693 reduces barriers, improves predictability, and helps retailers open faster — without cutting corners on safety.”
California’s retail sector employs more than 3 million people across over 500,000 establishments and is one of the state’s largest small-business employers. Yet many independent and family-owned retailers continue to face prolonged vacancies and financial strain due to lengthy building plan review timelines — challenges compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating 2025 fires, especially in regions like Los Angeles.
AB 1693 will be heard in the policy committee later this session.
Calderon introduces the Make It Fair Act
Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-South East portions of Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Valley), Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee, this week introduced Assembly bill (AB) 1680, which seeks to reform the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan to expand coverage options.
“Property insurance isn’t a luxury in California, it’s a necessity. Californians need a reliable and dependable source of insurance in good times and bad times,” said Calderon.
“The California FAIR Plan is our property insurance safety net and we need this association to work for all Californians. As market conditions change, the FAIR Plan needs to evolve to meet these needs, which is why I’ve introduced AB 1680. Californians do not want to be non-renewed but if they are, we need to ensure comprehensive coverage is available. Providing more stability and options at a time when the voluntary insurance market is still playing tug-of-war is needed now, in this moment.”
The legislation would require the FAIR Plan to make significant operational and governance changes to meet Californians’ needs, while market improvements take hold, such as:
- Implementing a more comprehensive homeowners coverage option like other insurance companies. Current FAIR Plan residential policyholders must buy a separate insurance policy – at an additional cost – to have coverage for water damage, liability if someone is injured on their property, and other standard coverages.
- Hiring more staff to manage its increasing operational needs and workload as well as expeditiously address consumer claims and complaints.
- Expediting policyholders in returning to the regular market by improving clearinghouse programs.
- Improving transparency by providing public access to meetings and documents of the FAIR Plan to enhance and improve policyholder service and related metrics.
- Prioritizing policyholders’ resilience from climate change by adopting a formal climate risk assessment, while reporting climate-related financial risks in line with how more than 85% of the national insurance markets report risks based on the standards established through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Creating a formal capital and liquidity management plan like other insurance companies to protect from unexpected events such as major wildfires or storms.
For the latest updates on AB 1680, and to track other pieces of legislation, visit leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
