A new California law aims to stop local communities from delaying construction of new housing projects.
It's one of 18 housing bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
California is in the midst of a housing crisis with far fewer homes and apartments than necessary to house its nearly 40 million people.
The bill by Sen. Nancy Skinner of Berkeley caps the number of public hearings on new projects, bans local governments from increasing fees on projects once an initial application is submitted and stops urban areas from freezing new construction.
Other legislation aims to allow for more backyard housing units known as granny flats.
Newsom on Tuesday signed a law to cap rent increases at 5% plus inflation.
