AB 1903: Construction defects.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law specifies the rights and requirements of a claimant or homeowner to bring a civil action for construction defects of a dwelling, including applicable standards for home construction, detailed prelitigation procedures, statute of limitations, burden of proof, and the damages recoverable. Existing law specifies the rights and prohibitions for a builder to defend against a civil action for construction defects, including a prohibition against a builder obtaining a release or waiver in exchange for repair work mandated by law.

This bill would modify specific rights, requirements, and prohibitions for the parties to a civil action for construction defects of a dwelling by revising, among other things, the requirements for a prelitigation notice from the claimant to the builder and the evidence a claimant is required to affirmatively demonstrate to make a claim. Among other changes, the bill would repeal the prohibition on, and, instead, authorize, a builder to obtain a release or waiver in exchange for certain repair work, as specified. Commencing July 1, 2027, the bill would prohibit an insurer from asserting repairs as a voluntary payment or as a payment made without the insurer’s consent, or denying counting the costs associated with those repairs, against a deductible or self-insured retention. The bill would provide that its provisions apply to structures subject to the provisions governing the rights of a claimant or homeowner to bring a civil action for construction defects of a dwelling, except as provided. The bill would further provide that its provisions are severable.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 2, 2026In Assembly. Held at Desk.
2. August 31, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).
3. August 30, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
4. August 28, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
5. August 24, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
6. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
7. August 6, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 5, 2026Ordered to second reading.
9. August 5, 2026Withdrawn from committee.
10. August 4, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HOUSING.
11. August 3, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on HOUSING. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 30).
12. June 15, 2026In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.