Land use: accessory dwelling units.
The enactment of AB 953 will have a significant impact on how local governments manage cannabis taxation and housing regulations. By permitting stablecoin payments, it could modernize and simplify the payment process for cannabis businesses. Additionally, the automatic approval process for ADUs aims to alleviate housing shortages by encouraging the development of additional housing units, particularly in areas with existing single-family or multifamily residences.
Assembly Bill 953, introduced by Assembly Members Ting and McCarty Bloom, addresses two main areas: the taxation of cannabis businesses and the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The bill permits local agencies to accept stablecoin payments from cannabis licensees for city or county cannabis taxes. Furthermore, it stipulates that if a local agency does not approve or deny a permit application for an accessory dwelling unit within 60 days, the application is automatically deemed approved, thereby streamlining the approval process for ADUs.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding AB 953 appears to be generally supportive among proponents who see the bill as a progressive step towards modernizing tax collection methods and addressing housing shortages. Critics may be concerned about the implications of integrating digital asset payments into local taxation and the potential for overreach in state-mandated housing regulations that could disrupt local planning authority.
Notable points of contention include concerns from local governments regarding their ability to manage land use in the wake of standardized state regulations for ADUs and the complexities introduced by accepting digital asset payments. Opponents may argue that this could undermine local control over zoning and taxation and potentially lead to complications in managing tax revenue from cannabis sales.