Bill > SB71

This bill modifies the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expand and extend several exemptions for transportation and transit-related projects. Specifically, the bill indefinitely exempts active transportation plans, pedestrian plans, transit operational analyses, and route modifications from CEQA environmental review requirements. It also extends exemptions for various transit projects, including those involving microtransit, paratransit, bus, ferry, and rail services, particularly those using zero-emission or low-emission vehicles. The bill removes previous geographic restrictions on where these projects can be located and extends exemption timelines, some until January 1, 2032 or 2040. For larger projects over $50 million or $100 million, the bill introduces additional requirements such as holding public meetings, completing a project business case and racial equity analysis, and ensuring the use of a skilled and trained workforce. The bill also modifies provisions for environmental leadership transit projects, extending the timeframe for project approval and environmental review until January 1, 2027, and maintaining expedited judicial review procedures. These changes aim to streamline environmental review processes for transit and transportation infrastructure projects, potentially making it easier and faster to develop sustainable transportation options.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB71