California REALTORS® Block Tax Hike Bill in Swift Legislative Push — CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Event summary

C.A.R. mobilized 12,000+ calls in 24 hours to block AB 736, a bill that would have incentivized higher transfer taxes on property sales.
The association also secured an agreement to remove ACA 13 from the November ballot, preserving Proposition 13-style taxpayer protections.
A constitutional amendment restoring two-thirds voter approval for certain local tax increases will appear on the November 2026 ballot.
C.A.R. claims its grassroots network is one of California's most effective lobbying forces.

The big picture

California's housing market remains one of the least affordable in the U.S., making tax policy a critical battleground. C.A.R.'s victory demonstrates the real estate industry's ability to shape legislation, but whether this translates into tangible affordability improvements for residents remains uncertain. The association's success also highlights the growing influence of trade groups in state governance.

What we're watching

Policy Influence: How C.A.R.'s demonstrated lobbying power will affect future housing-related legislation in California.
Affordability Impact: Whether blocking AB 736 will meaningfully improve homeownership accessibility amid California's affordability crisis.
Voter Engagement: The pace at which the constitutional amendment on local tax increases gains traction ahead of November 2026.