AB 1609 Summary

• Renames the "Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act" to the "Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act" throughout state law and changes all references from "marijuana" to "cannabis."

• Establishes new regulatory framework for cannabis cultivation licensing, including water supply identification requirements, environmental compliance standards, and streambed alteration agreement exemptions for licensed cultivators.

• Creates multiple new tax credit programs: allows taxpayers to sell low-income housing tax credits (80% minimum sale price), establishes seismic retrofit loans for residential and small business properties, and provides agricultural donation tax credits (15% for fresh produce donations through 2022).

• Establishes the Community-Based Transitional Housing Program providing grants up to $2 million to cities and counties that approve transitional housing facilities for formerly incarcerated individuals, with 60% retained locally and 40% for facility operations.

• Makes numerous administrative changes including discontinuing certain housing assistance programs effective July 1, 2016, establishing a Public Safety Communications Revolving Fund, and modifying voter registration procedures to designate "Unknown" party preference for non-disclosed affiliations.