Subject: Request to Amend Proposition 19 — Protect Family Property Transfers

Dear [Assemblymember/Senator Last Name],

Affordability is a key theme in Sacramento — yet affordability must start with enabling families to keep the homes and properties they already have. That is why I urge you to address the unintended consequences of Proposition 19, which has made it increasingly difficult for families to retain inherited property — whether a primary residence, a secondary home, or a family-owned business property.

While Prop 19 was intended to support wildfire victims and seniors, it has instead imposed unaffordable tax burdens on many families seeking to preserve what they’ve built across generations. Even when a child inherits a family home and makes it their primary residence, the limited exclusion cap leads to significant reassessment and a property tax increase that many simply cannot afford.

For secondary homes, vacation properties, and family business properties, Prop 19 offers no protection at all. The full market value reassessment often strips families of these properties entirely, forcing sales not just of cherished homes, but also of small family businesses and mom-and-pop rental properties that provide much-needed affordable housing. Many of these smaller landlords offer below-market rents, serving tenants who might otherwise be priced out of California’s housing market.

If affordability is truly a priority for our state’s leadership, that must include protecting the ability of families to pass down homes and small business properties without punitive taxation that drives sales and closures. Forcing the sale of family homes and shuttering family-run rental businesses undermines both housing affordability and economic diversity in our communities.

I respectfully urge you to support or introduce legislation that:

 • Expands reassessment exclusions to include secondary homes, vacation homes, and family business properties.

 • Raises the exclusion cap to reflect current property values in California’s real estate market.

 • Provides clearer, more equitable options for families to preserve the properties they’ve built, rather than being forced to sell them under financial pressure.

Preserving family property and small business assets should not conflict with fair taxation. I hope you will champion this issue and advocate for solutions that balance generational preservation with California’s affordability goals.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate any updates on legislative efforts regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address or ZIP Code]

[Optional: Your Phone or Email]