California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 45, the “Changes to Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects” Initiative on November 3, 2026. If approved, Proposition 45 will amend portions of the California Public Resources Code to expedite the review of certain essential projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Permit Streamlining Act (PSA).

Proposition 45 would require:

• Lead agencies to make a final determination on whether or not to certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) within 365 days of the completion of the project application.
• A 30-day deadline (from the date that the agency files a Notice of Determination or Notice of Exemption) for opponents to oppose a public agency’s approval or authorization of an essential project.
• A 270-day deadline, inclusive of original and appellate proceedings, for judicial proceedings challenging agency decisions.
  • The 270-day deadline may be extended an additional 90 days by the court’s discretion or mutual written consent of the petitioner, the public agency, and the applicant.
• As well as other measures intended to ensure expedient processing of essential projects.

Which projects qualify as essential under Proposition 45?

For a project to qualify for expedited review under Proposition 45, the project must fall under one of the following categories: An essential housing project;

• An essential water project;
  • Excluding delta conveyance facilities as defined in Section 79702(f) of the Water Code.
• An essential clean energy project;
  • Excluding oil or natural gas production facilities.
• An essential public health project;
• A public safety project;
  • Excluding jails or other detention facilities, or facilities owned, operated, or leased by the United States government.
• A broadband internet access project;
• An education facility project; or
• An essential transportation project.
  • Excluding high-speed trains or high-speed train systems.

An essential project also “includes all related and ancillary public, private, and utility infrastructure and public service facilities required by a utility or public agency, or included in an essential project application as part of the ‘whole of the project,’” to serve a project category identified in the list above. (For more information, see Attorney General Information: Initiative and Referendum Proposals Pending Review by Attorney General, “25-0023 text,” (November 24, 2025).)

Who supports Proposition 45?

Proposition 45 is supported by District 14 State Representative Buffy Wicks (Democrat) as well as various organizations including, the agricultural council of California, the California Building Industry Association, the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, and the NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference.

Who opposes Proposition 45?

Proposition 45 is opposed by the Democratic Party of California as well as various organizations including the American Nurses Association of California, the California Public Interest Research Group, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the Planning and Conservation League, and the Sierra Club California. These organizations argue that Proposition 45 would undermine the public’s ability to meaningfully participate in project approvals. (For further information regarding supporters and opponents, see California Proposition 45, Changes to Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects Initiative (2026), Ballotpedia (June 29, 2026).)

Why It Matters

For developers and public agencies, Proposition 45 could translate into faster, more predictable timelines for getting essential projects through environmental review and past legal challenges. For project opponents, the measure imposes tighter windows to act.

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