Bill > SB676

This bill modifies the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to streamline judicial review for certain wildfire recovery projects in areas under a state of emergency. Specifically, for projects located in geographic areas where the Governor declared a state of emergency on or after January 1, 2023, aimed at maintaining, repairing, restoring, demolishing, or replacing property damaged by wildfire, the bill introduces new requirements starting January 1, 2027. These requirements include preparing the record of proceedings concurrently with the administrative process, ensuring that any legal challenges to the project's environmental review are resolved within 270 calendar days, and mandating that the project applicant agrees to pay the court costs for hearing and deciding any legal proceedings. The bill applies only to projects consistent with existing zoning and land use ordinances and does not cover projects proposed after the state of emergency is rescinded. Additionally, the Judicial Council must adopt rules of court to implement these provisions. The bill is designed to expedite wildfire recovery efforts by reducing potential legal delays while maintaining environmental review standards, and it does not require local agencies to be reimbursed for implementing these new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB676