California Homeowner Bills Move Out of Committee

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights continues to move steadily forward with the announcement that a number of its components have passed out of legislative committees.

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Attorney General ""Kamala Harris"":http://www.oag.ca.gov/ announced Tuesday that seven bills related to homeowners' rights have passed through various legislative committees, including the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees.

AB 2610 and SB 1473 both passed through their respective judiciary committees. They would require purchasers of foreclosed homes to allow tenants at least 90 days before starting eviction proceedings. If the tenant has a fixed-term lease, the new owner would have to honor the lease unless they can prove that certain exceptions apply.

AB 2314 and SB 1472 also passed in judiciary committees. The two bills provide more tools to local governments and receivers to fight neighborhood blight caused by vacant homes.

In addition, AB 1950 passed in in the Senate Judiciary. The bill extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting mortgage-related crimes from one year to three years, giving the Department of Justice more time to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud crimes.

Finally, Harris announced that AB 1763 and SB 1474 both passed out of Senate Public Safety and Assembly Public Safety, respectively. Both bills give the attorney general the ability to convene a special grand jury to investigate and indict perpetrators of financial crimes involving victims in multiple counties.

""The entire Homeowner Bill of Rights legislative package will create a level playing field for California homeowners,"" said Harris. ""In addition, it will allow my office to continue to prosecute those who take advantage of homeowners who are desperate to stay in their houses.""

The State Legislature passed two other bills Monday which provide protections for borrowers and struggling homeowners, including a restriction on dual-track foreclosures. The bills are currently awaiting a response from governor Jerry Brown.