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Government Affairs

Government Affairs

Government Affairs is the voice of the REALTORS® in local government. Our goal is to protect the REALTORS® of San Mateo County from ordinances, rules and regulations that would be a hindrance to the success of their businesses.  Government Affairs also works to advance one of SAMCAR's primary objectives: the preservation of private property rights throughout San Mateo County.

The Government Affairs staff informs and advises the Board of Directors and SAMCAR's Legislative Committees regarding pertinent land use and zoning policies, state and federal legislation, and local political issues. In conjunction with SAMCAR REALTORS®, the Government Affairs staff executes the legislative and political directives of the Board of Directors.

Government Affairs serves as a liaison between SAMCAR and the California Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®, and assists with member mobilization for state and federal issues of importance to the real estate industry.

Government Affairs Director

Fernando Peña
SAMCAR
850 Woodside Way, San Mateo CA 94401 (map)
(650) 696-8200
 
 
Photo of City of Redwood City Sign
Published: July 29, 2026
Redwood City Council Unanimously Opposes Rent Control Ballot Measure
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.
Read More about Redwood City Council
New MLSListings Podcast: Understanding AB736 & November's Housing Ballot Measures
Published: July 20, 2026
MLSListings Podcast: AB736 & November Housing Ballot Measures
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.
Read More about MLSListings Podcast:
San Mateo County Sustainability Department REALTOR Toolkit Webpage
Published: July 16, 2026
New Resource: Energy Efficiency Toolkit for REALTORS
Support your clients in selling healthy, energy-efficient homes with confidence. Use these resources to help clients make their homes healthier, more comfortable, and more cost-effective to run. This toolkit, created by the San Mateo County Sustainability Department in collaboration with WestLight Energy (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy) and the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR), provides practical resources, local data, financial incentives, and client-facing materials to support conversations with buyers and sellers. [This effort is intended to support informed, voluntary decision-making by homeowners and does not represent an endorsement of mandates or appliance bans.]
Read More about New Resource: Energy
REALTOR Party of California
Published: July 01, 2026
REALTORS Deliver Major Victory Stopping Costly Tax Proposal AB 736
The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.) announced a major victory for homeownership in California after REALTORS statewide mobilized to stop AB 736, a costly tax proposal, from moving forward in the California State Legislature last week. SAMCAR joined this effort in mobilizing to stop this proposal, protecting California homeownership.
Read More about REALTORS Deliver
City of Redwood City Sign
Published: June 16, 2026
Redwood City Delays Action on Rent Control Ballot Measure
The Redwood City Council voted unanimously on June 8, 2026, to delay final action on a proposed rent control ballot initiative, requesting a supplemental economic impact report before deciding whether to place the measure before voters.
Read More about Redwood City Delays
Photo of (L-R): Linda Crose-Andersen (2026 SAMCAR President), Sue Walsh (SAMCAR Federal Political Coordinator (FPC)), Congressman Kevin Mullin, Judy Taylor, Mitch Speigle and John Gieseker.
Published: June 05, 2026
SAMCAR Joins Congressman Mullin at "Be the Wave" Fundraiser
On Monday, June 1, 2026, members of the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR) attended the Kevin Mullin for Congress Birthday Fundraiser. Billed as "Be the Wave," this fundraising event was an opportunity for SAMCAR members to meet with Congressmember Kevin Mullin and learn more about his efforts to improve our local economy, get input from organizations like SAMCAR, and federal funding for infrastructure projects in San Mateo County.
Read More about SAMCAR Joins
850 Woodside Way, San Mateo, CA 94401   -   (650) 696-8200   -   www.samcar.org   -   facebook.com/samcar.realtors
Printed on August 3, 2026 from https://www.samcar.org/government-affairs/
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