BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                          AB 1505
                                                          Page  1

Date of Hearing:   May 26, 1999

              ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
                    Carole Migden, Chairwoman

          AB 1505 (Ducheny) - As Amended: May 17, 1999 

Policy Committee:                              Housing and  
Community Development                          Vote:10-0
             Natural Resources                      11-0

Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local  
Program:YesReimbursable:          Yes

  SUMMARY  :

This bill:

1)Modifies existing law regarding exemptions from environmental  
  review for certain farmworker housing projects, by increasing  
  the number of units that can be developed, and requiring that  
  the units remain affordable for 30 years instead of 15 years.   


2)Allows landowners with property under Williamson Act contracts  
  to set aside up to five acres for the exclusive use of  
  farmworker housing if the land remains in a Williamson Act  
  contract and if other conditions are met.

  FISCAL EFFECT  :

Negligible costs to local entities for notice requirements  
related to the exemptions provided by the bill.

  COMMENTS  :

  Purpose  .  This bill is the result of the author's concern over  
the provision of adequate farmworker housing.  According to  
information provided by the supporters of this measure, there is  
 
a critical need for more farmworker housing - a needs assessment  
conducted by the University of California estimated that 250,000  
farmworkers and their families had inadequate housing.   
According to the supporters, the average farmworker earns $7,500  
per year.  The author of this measure has convened a task force  








                                                          AB 1505
                                                          Page  2

of farmers, lending institutions and housing advocates to  
examine the problem.

  Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)319-2081