Press Release

RV Encampment Bill Moves Through Senate Human Services Committee

SACRAMENTO, California – (April 14, 2025) – Senator Laura Richardson (D-South Bay) presented her RV Encampment bill, SB 748, to members of the Senate’s Human Services Committee who passed it on a 5-0 vote.

SB 748 is designed to assist local jurisdictions with acquiring additional locations for temporary housing and safe parking sites as well as extend the hours of safe parking sites through the expanded use of the Encampment Resolution Funding program.

"Often, RV or street encampments do not provide adequate shelter from the inclement weather, safety from uninvited strangers or those who intend to cause harm, and adequate sanitation to avoid disease and infection,” said Senator Richardson. “SB 748 enables jurisdictions through the Safe Parking Sites tool to comply with both federal and state law related to encampment clean up and protections.”

Additionally, RV encampments strain city resources and are known to dump Illegal waste, sewage, and trash in and around city sidewalks and curbs, along with illicit activities that frequently necessitate the intervention of public sanitation crews, police, fire departments, and medical personnel. This persistent demand rapidly depletes city funds and diverts attention from other essential services.

The bill seeks to address the needs of unhoused individuals living in RVs while prioritizing the greater good of all residents. It acknowledges the complexity of homelessness and approaches this issue thoughtfully by addressing one critical aspect as an essential first step in supporting those in need.

SB 748 now moves to the Senate’s Housing Committee later in April.

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