FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov (760)269-9391
Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783
Assemblymember Harabedian’s Bill Protecting Historic Landmarks Passes Senate Local Government Committee
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, focused on the protection of historical landmarks, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena) announced that AB 2576, which refines SB 79 (Wiener, 2025) by extending protections to all locally, state, and nationally registered historic resources, has passed the Senate Local Government Committee.
“AB 2576 provides assurance to communities that the historical landmarks that are pillars of their communities remain protected while pursuing opportunities to expand housing in the fight for housing affordability,” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena). “Assembly District 41 is home to some of the most historic landmarks in the state, it needs to be a priority to do everything in our power to protect the culture engrained in them.”
SB 79 (Wiener, 2025) created statewide zoning rules intended to make it easier to build housing near major public transit stops. However, SB 79 does not grant full protections to historic landmarks and resources vital to California’s cultural and architectural heritage, as it is unclear whether historic districts qualify for protection and limits safeguards primarily to locally listed sites, leaving many state and nationally recognized resources vulnerable. The bill’s 10% cap on exempted historic resources and narrow definitions potentially excludes significant areas, such as parts of Pasadena identified through ongoing surveys.
AB 2576 addresses this through targeted clean-up amendments that strengthen historic preservation protections in SB 79 that explicitly recognizes historic districts, including local landmark districts, as eligible historic resources; expand protections to sites listed on local, state, and national historic registers.
The bill now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
