California Environmental Quality Act: judicial streamlining: state of emergency: fire.

Senators Limón and Blakespear propose modifying California's environmental review process for projects in areas damaged by fires where the Governor has declared a state of emergency, introducing new requirements for concurrent documentation and expedited legal proceedings under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The legislation establishes a 270-day timeline for courts to resolve legal challenges to environmental impact reports, negative declarations, or mitigated negative declarations for qualifying projects. This timeline applies to projects in areas where the Governor declared a state of emergency on or after January 1, 2023, provided the projects comply with local zoning and land use ordinances. Lead agencies must prepare administrative records simultaneously with the review process, rather than after project approval.

The provisions apply only while the state of emergency remains active for the affected area. The Judicial Council holds authority to implement court rules ensuring adherence to the 270-day resolution requirement. Local agencies and school districts maintain their existing authority to levy fees and assessments to cover any additional administrative costs, with no state reimbursement required under the California Constitution.