Government Affairs

On November 4, 2026, the Bay Area Air District Board of Directors will consider changes to Rule 9-6 (mandated ban) for water heaters. The changes being considered would, if approved, provide for some exemptions to the zero-nitrogen oxides standard and could delay the compliance date one year, to January 1, 2028. The public comment period will close on November 1 at 6 PM. SAMCAR members and San Mateo County homeowners are encouraged to provide online comments that must be submitted through the Air District's public comment tool to be considered. (Under Air District policy, they will not consider comments on regulations that are submitted by email.) SAMCAR supports de-carbonization of homes, but that the policy should be voluntary. SAMCAR has long opposed the mandates on gas water heaters and furnaces bans, citing lack of public outreach, PG&E grid reliability challenges, Bay Area older homes, socio economic impacts, impacts to seniors, and possible high costs for homeowners to electrify their homes. Please get your comments in ahead of the Bay Area Air District's Board of Directors meeting on November 4.

In the November 2026 General Election, SAMCAR has endorsed candidates for local City Councils and the County Board of Supervisors, as well as taken a position on several local measures. We are pleased to share the 2026 SAMCAR Voter Guide, including a list of candidates endorsed by SAMCAR and positions on local measures in this upcoming election, as well as California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) positions on several statewide ballot initiatives. In addition to your vote, you can support these candidates with your contributions and by volunteering to help their campaigns including activities such as sign waving, phone banking and door knocking. Please visit the candidates' campaign websites for more information. *** Election Day is November 3, 2026 — Please remember to return your Vote-by-Mail Ballot ASAP! ***

The Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which is anything but fair or affordable, has officially received its ballot designation and will appear before Redwood City voters on November 3, 2026, as Measure E. SAMCAR urges all of our members who live in Redwood City to VOTE NO on Measure E.

At the Tuesday, August 25, 2026, SAMCAR Marketing/Tour Meeting, members heard an update from San Carlos city officials regarding the city's strategic goals. Kathy Kleinbaum, San Carlos new City Manager, and Al Savoy, the Community Development Director, discussed downtown San Carlos projects, climate change and sustainability planning, traffic and transportation improvements, parks and recreation goals, and commercial and housing developments.

In a decisive 6-0 vote, the Redwood City Council has officially opposed the Redwood City Fair and Affordable Housing Ordinance, which will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The Council's decision follows an independent supplemental economic impact analysis that concluded the measure extends far beyond traditional rent control and could have significant unintended consequences for tenants, housing providers, affordable housing, and the City's financial stability. SAMCAR applauds the six Redwood City Councilmembers for carefully reviewing the analysis and taking a position based on the long-term interests of the entire community. We encourage Realtors, property owners, homeowners, and renters to learn more about the measure before casting their vote this November.

MLSListings has released a new podcast discussing key housing policy topics, including AB736 Property Transfer Taxes and Redwood City's proposed rent control measure appearing on the November ballot.