California Environmental Quality Act: expired regional habitat conservation plan: exemption.

Senator Grove's proposal to exempt certain urgent public health and housing projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements focuses on developments within expired regional habitat conservation plan boundaries. The exemption would apply to projects under 15 acres in urbanized areas that serve urgent public health or housing needs as defined by federal or state policy, provided they underwent environmental review under the original conservation plan's standards.

The measure establishes three specific criteria for CEQA exemption eligibility: projects must address documented urgent public health or housing needs on parcels smaller than 15 acres in urban zones; fall within the geographic scope of an expired regional habitat conservation plan; and have completed environmental reviews consistent with that plan's original requirements. Local agencies would determine whether projects qualify for the exemption, with authority to levy fees and assessments to cover associated administrative costs.

While the bill creates a new state-mandated local program, it includes no state reimbursement provision, as local jurisdictions maintain existing authority to fund implementation through service charges and fees. The measure requires a majority vote for passage and fiscal committee review but involves no state appropriations.