Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the most sweeping reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act in over five decades, creating ten new CEQA exemptions for projects such as infill housing, child care centers, and broadband infrastructure, and investing nearly $1.4 billion in new investments for affordable housing, renters, and first-time homebuyers.
California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is being criticized by liberal lawmakers and housing advocates for obstructing progress and needs reform to balance environmental protections with the need for housing and infrastructure projects.
California’s housing crisis remains a major challenge, with cities struggling to meet production targets and state leaders failing to invest in solutions, despite promising local models and political will.
California is seeing a shift in the politics of housing, with new state legislation and a shift in the balance of power tilting towards reform, and while there are still challenges to overcome, the fight is no longer on the same old terrain.
SB 79, a bill authored by Senator Scott Wiener, aims to legalize mid-rise housing near transit stops and on land owned by local transit agencies, allowing for up to seven story buildings and permitting transit agencies to build housing at the same or greater density.
California has defended its support for transgender student-athletes in response to Trump’s threats to cut off federal funding, with Senator Scott Wiener stating that the state is prepared to defend its laws protecting transgender students in court.
SB 607, a bill to reform the California Environmental Quality Act, has sparked debate between state leaders and environmental justice organizations, with opponents arguing that it would gut CEQA safeguards and supporters claiming it is necessary to streamline development and address California’s housing shortage.
SB 79, the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, has been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now moving to the Senate floor, aiming to increase housing supply, lower family housing costs, reduce reliance on cars, and support the state’s climate goals.
Senate Bill 79, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, aims to address California’s housing crisis by incentivizing the construction of housing near public transit corridors, promoting affordability, livability, and climate survival.
Senator Scott Wiener has authored two key bills, SB 79 and SB 607, which aim to modernize California’s permitting and environmental review procedures to address its housing shortage and environmental protection challenges.
California’s Senate Housing Committee advanced SB 79, which would legalize mid-rise apartment buildings near public transit, while rejecting SB 677, which aimed to strengthen the state’s existing housing streamlining laws.
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