California lawmakers are dismantling parts of one of the state’s top environmental laws that has prevented and delayed development.
State lawmakers agreed to a demand from Gov. Gavin Newsom to roll back parts of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as part of the state’s 2025-2026 budget.
The backstory: CEQA was signed into law in 1970s and has routinely been used to force environmental reviews on construction projects and delay development through numerous lawsuits.
- Newsom told lawmakers that they had to roll back parts of CEQA in order for him to sign the 2025-2026 budget.
The big picture: Lawmakers passed a trailer budget bill on Monday which includes a large number of exemptions from CEQA.
- The bill now exempts urban infill developments from CEQA.
- The bill also streamlines high-speed rail facilities, utilities, broadband facilities, wildfire fuel breaks and farmworker housing through the CEQA process.
- Lawmakers passed the bill 33-1 in the Senate and 53-3 in the Assembly.
What they’re saying: “This isn’t just a budget. This is a budget that builds. It proves what’s possible when we govern with urgency, with clarity, and with a belief in abundance over scarcity,” Newsom said.
- He continued, “In addition to the legislature, I thank the many housing, labor, and environmental leaders who heeded my call and came together around a common goal – to build more housing, faster and create strong affordable pathways for every Californian. Today’s bill is a game changer, which will be felt for generations to come.”
