Newsom’s Attempt to Streamline Development: Inside California’s New CEQA Exemptions and Fast-Tracked Review (CEQA Reform AB 130 and SB131)

On June 30, California Governor
Gavin Newsom signed the two most recent California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) amendments, Assembly Bill 130 (“AB 130”) and Senate Bill 131 (“SB
131”). The bills collectively create new categories of CEQA exemptions, remove
sunset dates applicable to the Permit Streamlining Act, and create a new
process for environmental review for projects that do not ...Read More

Can California Accelerate Housing Construction? Newsom Proposal May Have a Chance.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a proposal to
accelerate housing development by removing regulatory barriers and streamlining
the permit approval process. This initiative, part of the May Budget Revision,
attempts to address delays in housing construction, particularly in high-demand
coastal and urban areas.

A central feature of the proposal is the alignment of the
California Coastal Commission’s permitting timelines ...Read More

What is “Meaningful” Consultation with Tribes Under AB 52?

Earlier this year, the First District Court of Appeal issued
the first published opinion interpreting Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), which
governs tribal consultation procedures under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA). In Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of
Clearlake (Cal. Ct. App., Mar. 14, 2025, No. A169438), the Court held that
the City’s failure to conduct “meaningful” ...Read More

All Pending Federal Regulations Put On Hold

Newly inaugurated President Trump placed a hold on all new and pending federal regulations. The order says federal agencies may not initiate regulations, have to halt those in process, and consider not enforcing for 60 days those recently enacted.

See the Executive Order HERE.

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