AB-457
Agriculture & Food

Farmworker housing: streamlined, ministerial approval: Counties of Fresno, Madera, and Merced.

Enrolled
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands streamlined approval of farmworker housing projects to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.
  • Increases maximum unit size from 36 to 150 units for eligible farmworker housing developments.
  • Requires developments to be within 15 miles of farmland and maintained by affordable housing organizations.
  • Mandates 55-year affordability requirements for all approved farmworker housing projects.

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's agricultural worker housing legislation expands streamlined approval processes to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties while increasing the maximum allowable units from 36 to 150 in eligible developments. The measure extends existing provisions that expedite review of farmworker housing projects meeting specific location and design criteria, provided they are within 15 miles of designated agricultural land and not adjacent to substantial industrial uses.

The amended law maintains core requirements for eligible developments, including operation by certified affordable housing organizations, 55-year affordability covenants, and compliance with objective standards for utilities, road access, and environmental safety. Local agencies must complete initial eligibility reviews within 30-60 days and conduct any necessary oversight within 90-180 days, depending on project size. The streamlined process applies only to non-dormitory housing on sites outside hazard zones and environmentally sensitive areas.

While preserving local authority to impose essential development standards and fees, the law prohibits discretionary conditions that could impede ministerial approval of qualifying projects. The geographic expansion responds to what the Legislature identifies as unique farmworker housing needs in California's Central Valley counties, with the increased unit cap allowing larger-scale developments to address local demand through standardized review procedures.

Key Dates

Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd AB457 Soria et al
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Housing Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Housing Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 457 Soria Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Joaquin Arambula
Joaquin ArambulaD
California State Assembly Member
Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Robert Rivas
Robert RivasD
California State Assembly Member
70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (8/26/2025)

Latest Voting History

August 25, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
370340PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands streamlined approval of farmworker housing projects to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties.
  • Increases maximum unit size from 36 to 150 units for eligible farmworker housing developments.
  • Requires developments to be within 15 miles of farmland and maintained by affordable housing organizations.
  • Mandates 55-year affordability requirements for all approved farmworker housing projects.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Joaquin Arambula
Joaquin ArambulaD
California State Assembly Member
Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Robert Rivas
Robert RivasD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's agricultural worker housing legislation expands streamlined approval processes to Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties while increasing the maximum allowable units from 36 to 150 in eligible developments. The measure extends existing provisions that expedite review of farmworker housing projects meeting specific location and design criteria, provided they are within 15 miles of designated agricultural land and not adjacent to substantial industrial uses.

The amended law maintains core requirements for eligible developments, including operation by certified affordable housing organizations, 55-year affordability covenants, and compliance with objective standards for utilities, road access, and environmental safety. Local agencies must complete initial eligibility reviews within 30-60 days and conduct any necessary oversight within 90-180 days, depending on project size. The streamlined process applies only to non-dormitory housing on sites outside hazard zones and environmentally sensitive areas.

While preserving local authority to impose essential development standards and fees, the law prohibits discretionary conditions that could impede ministerial approval of qualifying projects. The geographic expansion responds to what the Legislature identifies as unique farmworker housing needs in California's Central Valley counties, with the increased unit cap allowing larger-scale developments to address local demand through standardized review procedures.

70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (8/26/2025)

Key Dates

Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd AB457 Soria et al
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Housing Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Housing Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 457 Soria Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass. To Consent Calendar
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Housing And Community Development Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

August 25, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
370340PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Robert RivasD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author