(a) The Legislature finds and declares each of the following: (1) On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and, on January 31, 2020, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency. (2) On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for a broader spread of COVID-19. (3) According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States economy, as measured by gross domestic product, contracted by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020. (4) In July of 2020, Californiaâs unemployment rate tripled, the largest increase since 1976. (5) It is estimated that California lost 2,000,000 jobs by March 27, 2020. (6) In July of 2020, 3,100,000 Californians filed for unemployment benefits, and California became the first state in the nation to borrow money from the federal government to continue paying out rising claims for unemployment benefits. (7) The Governor has labeled Californiaâs economic crisis a âpandemic-induced recession.â (8) Even before the pandemic-induced recession, California was in the midst of a housing affordability crisis caused fundamentally by a consistent failure to supply enough new housing for Californians of all income levels. (9) According to the League of California Cities, over 90 percent of cities in this state report they are considering cutting or furloughing city staff or decreasing public services, and 72 percent of cities report they may take both actions. In addition, over 70 percent of cities, and 90 percent of the largest cities, report that they expect a significant impact to âcoreâ planning and housing services. (10) The pandemic-induced recession, combined with mandatory social distancing, stringent construction protocols, and anticipated reductions in the capacity of local governments to deliver services to the housing industry, will drastically impact all segments of a complex ecosystem that delivers the essential housing California so desperately needs to combat the ongoing housing crisis. (11) To facilitate and expedite the return of this vital industry, it is necessary to relieve any additional pressure on housing development as a result of the lapse in planning, finance, and construction due to the pandemic-induced recession. An essential component of ensuring the survival of the housing industry is proactively extending the life of the myriad state and local approvals, permits, and other entitlements required to develop and construct housing in California. (12) A uniform statewide entitlement extension measure is necessary to avoid the significant statewide cost and allocation of local government staff resources associated with addressing individual permit extensions on a case-by-case basis. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), notwithstanding any law, including any inconsistent provision of a local agencyâs general plan, ordinances, or regulations, the otherwise applicable time for the expiration, effectuation, or utilization of a housing entitlement that is within the scope of the timeframes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) is extended by 18 months. For the purposes of this section, housing entitlements that are extended are entitlements where both of the following apply: (1) It was issued prior to and was in effect on March 4, 2020; and (2) It will expire prior to December 31, 2021. The otherwise applicable time for the utilization of a housing entitlement provided by this section includes any requirement to request the issuance of a building permit within a specified period of time. (c) If the state or a local agency extends, on or after March 4, 2020, but before the effective date of the act adding this section, the otherwise applicable t
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