July 5, 2012 – The Homeowners Bill of Rights is one of the most significant consumer protection reforms this year. Find out how your representatives in San Diego County voted on this important legislation, which passed both houses in Sacramento and is expected to be signed by Governor Jerry Brown.
Status: On Governor’s desk awaiting action
Description: The two-bill package consists of AB 278 and SB 900, both identical in wording. The measures were introduced at the urging of Cailfornia Attorney General Kamala Harris, who seeks to provide homeowners with protection against abuses by the banking industry. If signed by Governor Jerry Brown, the bill will:
· Prohibit dual tracking, where a bank forecloses on a homeowner at the same time that homeowners are negotiating a modification
· Guarantee a single point of contact for struggling homeowners
- Create civil penalties for fraudulently signing mortgage documents (robosigning)
- Give borrowers the right to seek injunctive relief in court when the banks fail to follow the process and the law.
Voting record: Both measures passed the Senate by a 25-13 margin and the Assembly by a 54-26 vote.
How our elected officials voted:
Assembly:
Assemblymembers Toni Atkins (D), Marty Block (D), Nathan Fletcher (R), Ben Hueso (D), and Kevin Jeffries (R) –aye
Assemblymembers Martin Garrick (R) and Brian Jones (R) -- nay
State Senate:
Senators Christine Kehoe (D) and Juan Vargas (D) – aye
Senators Joel Anderson (R) and Mark Wyland (R) – nay
