Mitigation Fee Act: mitigating vehicular traffic impacts.

The fee rate requirement was strengthened from 'reflects a lower rate of automobile trip generation' to a specific mandate that the fee must be at least 50 percent less than the rate for housing developments without all the prescribed characteristics.

A new provision allows a local agency to charge a fee that does not reflect the lower rate if it makes written findings, supported by substantial evidence in the record before or as part of the project approval process, that the development would not generate fewer automobile trips even with all the prescribed characteristics.

The parking space characteristic was tightened. The introduced version allowed either the local ordinance minimum or reduced parking (1 space for 0-2 bedroom, 2 spaces for 3+ bedroom). The amended version removes the local ordinance option and requires only the reduced parking standard.

The convenience retail characteristic was replaced. Instead of requiring any convenience retail use within half a mile, the amendment requires the development to be within half a mile of at least three of nine specified amenity types: restaurant, coffee shop, supermarket, grocery store, hardware store, park, pharmacy, drugstore, or bar.

The state mandates reimbursement provision was changed from requiring reimbursement to stating that no reimbursement is required because local agencies have authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the mandated program.

The bill was reformatted from enrolled bill layout (Senate Bill No. 358 with passage dates and clerk signatures) to chaptered law format (STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL, CHAPTER 515, with Governor approval date of October 10, 2025).

Page headers changed from 'SB 358' to 'Ch. 515' and page numbering was adjusted for the official chaptered publication.

The document was reformatted from an official chaptered bill layout (with page numbers like '94', section markers like 'Ch. 515', and authentication headers) to a web page format with navigation menus, search bars, version history dropdowns, and other website interface elements.

Website UI elements were added including skip-to-content links, home/accessibility/FAQ/feedback/sitemap/login navigation, quick search fields, bill information panels, and share buttons.

Removed amendment history headers (dates of Senate and Assembly amendments) and replaced them with passage dates for both chambers.

Added enrollment language including 'This bill was received by the Governor this day' and a gubernatorial approval signature block at the end of the document.

Removed line numbers from the statutory text and reformatted the legislative counsel's digest into a different layout. Page numbering changed from 96 to 95.

The fee reduction standard was changed from a specific minimum (at least 50 percent less than the rate for non-qualifying housing) to a general requirement that the fee reflect a lower rate of automobile trip generation. This gives local agencies more flexibility in setting the exact discount amount.

The provision allowing a local agency to charge a fee proportional to the estimated rate of automobile trip generation for housing developments that do not satisfy all the prescribed characteristics was eliminated entirely.

A childcare facility was added as item (J) to the list of locations that can be within one-half mile of the housing development to satisfy the proximity characteristic. Previously only restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets, grocery stores, hardware stores, parks, pharmacies, drugstores, and bars were listed.

Section 2 was changed from requiring reimbursement if the Commission on State Mandates determines costs are state-mandated, to stating that no reimbursement is required because local agencies have authority to levy sufficient service charges, fees, or assessments under Section 17556 of the Government Code.