Assembly Member Macedo proposes expanding California's environmental leadership development project framework to include water storage, conveyance, and groundwater recharge projects that provide public benefits and drought preparedness. The legislation would allow these water infrastructure projects to undergo streamlined environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), similar to existing categories like renewable energy facilities and certain housing developments.

The bill modifies the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021 by adding water infrastructure to the types of projects eligible for expedited CEQA review through gubernatorial certification. While most leadership projects must meet a $100 million minimum investment threshold, this requirement would not apply to the newly added water project category. Project applicants must still demonstrate their proposals create high-wage jobs, comply with environmental mitigation requirements, and result in no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Local agencies would need to prepare administrative records for water projects seeking streamlined review without state reimbursement. The legislation maintains existing requirements for project applicants to enter binding agreements on mitigation measures and cover costs associated with potential legal challenges. These provisions aim to preserve environmental protections while potentially accelerating the review process for qualifying water infrastructure projects.