Senator Alvarado-Gil Votes to Protect Local Control in Rural California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2026

CONTACT: Jason Scalese

Senator Alvarado-Gil Votes to Protect Local Control in Rural California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) today announced her no vote on Senate Bill 1344, which passed the Senate despite strong opposition from rural lawmakers and communities concerned about unchecked housing development.

SB 1344 doubles the financial “undertaking” (bond) requirement for plaintiffs challenging certain housing projects from $500,000 to $1,000,000 and extends legal protections to additional “priority care” developments. While framed as a measure to reduce frivolous lawsuits, critics argue the bill further tilts the scales against local control, making it significantly more expensive and riskier for residents, neighborhoods, and local governments to legally challenge projects that may conflict with community character, traffic, wildfire safety, and infrastructure capacity.

Senator Alvarado-Gil issued the following statement:

“Families across Senate District 4 have made it clear, we support smart, responsible growth, but not at the expense of our rural way of life, public safety, or local decision-making. SB 1344 raises the barrier for everyday residents and community groups to hold developers and local governments accountable. I voted no because our communities in the Sierra foothills and Central Valley deserve a real voice, not higher hurdles when fighting developments that could overwhelm our roads, strain our fire resources, threaten public safety, increase wildfire risk, and change the character of our towns forever.”

Communities throughout SD 4 have faced repeated tensions over state-mandated housing elements, impact fees, and specific projects that often overlook local needs. Residents and local leaders have expressed frustration with top-down Sacramento policies that limit community input on growth, wildfire safety, and infrastructure.

Senator Alvarado-Gil’s vote reflects those widespread concerns. “I remain committed to protecting rural California from one-size-fits-all mandates coming from the state Capitol.”

### https://sierrawave.net/senator-alvarado-gil-votes-to-protect-local-control-in-rural-california/

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