Bill > SB292

This bill, concerning environmental quality in California, aims to expedite the judicial review process for the proposed Convention Center Modernization and Farmers Field Project in Los Angeles, while still protecting environmental review rights. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) normally requires detailed environmental impact assessments and public input for development projects. However, this bill introduces specific procedures for this particular project, defining terms like "applicant" (the private entity proposing the project) and "project" (the Convention Center Modernization and Farmers Field Project as described in a specific notice). It establishes accelerated timelines for legal challenges to the project's environmental impact report and initial approvals, requiring them to be filed with the Second District Court of Appeal within 30 days and with strict deadlines for briefs. The bill also mandates that the project achieve carbon neutrality from vehicle trips and maintain a lower trip ratio (number of cars per spectator) than 90% of other National Football League stadiums, with the applicant responsible for implementing measures to meet these goals. Importantly, the bill includes provisions for public workshops and hearings, and allows for nonbinding mediation to resolve disputes, but limits the consideration of comments submitted after the public comment period unless they address specific new issues. The bill is designed to be a special law applicable only to this project and is set to become inoperative and repealed by January 1, 2014, unless certain conditions are met.