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CA 2025 Trailer Bills—
A Deep-Dive Series

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California’s SB 131 introduces a groundbreaking “near miss” provision for housing projects seeking to use an exemption for CEQA compliance. The innovation is this: If a proposed housing project qualifies for a CEQA exemption but for a single exemption criterion, CEQA review for the project may be limited to the environmental effects related to that single condition. Limiting the environmental analysis to one topic could slash approval time from years to months and significantly reduce costs, addressing California’s housing crisis while maintaining environmental protections where they matter most.
Thinking

SB 131 Expedites Housing Projects That Almost Qualify for a CEQA Exemption

AB 130 represents a significant step in furthering streamlining of housing development under CEQA, potentially the most significant CEQA revision in decades. This new legislation introduces a comprehensive infill housing statutory exemption that allows qualifying projects to bypass CEQA documentation entirely—no extensive environmental review, complex documentation, or lengthy approval processes. Unlike previous convoluted attempts at expediting housing project approvals, AB 130 provides a clean, broad exemption that applies statewide with no unit caps, minimal labor requirements, and no affordability mandates for most projects.
Thinking

AB 130’s Game-Changer for CEQA Streamlining of Housing Development—The New Infill Exemption

On June 30, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 131, one of the most substantial changes to the California Environmental Quality Act. Among the provisions of SB 131 is a new CEQA exemption intended to streamline the deployment of public park and nonmotorized recreational trail facilities funded by the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (i.e., Proposition 4). As part of our series on the effects of SB 131, we take a deep dive into this new statutory exemption for public parks and nonmotorized trails.
Thinking

New CEQA Exemption for Parks and Trails Funded by Proposition 4

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California’s SB 131 introduces a groundbreaking “near miss” provision for housing projects seeking to use an exemption for CEQA compliance. The innovation is this: If a proposed housing project qualifies for a CEQA exemption but for a single exemption criterion, CEQA review for the project may be limited to the environmental effects related to that single condition. Limiting the environmental analysis to one topic could slash approval time from years to months and significantly reduce costs, addressing California’s housing crisis while maintaining environmental protections where they matter most.
Thinking

SB 131 Expedites Housing Projects That Almost Qualify for a CEQA Exemption

AB 130 represents a significant step in furthering streamlining of housing development under CEQA, potentially the most significant CEQA revision in decades. This new legislation introduces a comprehensive infill housing statutory exemption that allows qualifying projects to bypass CEQA documentation entirely—no extensive environmental review, complex documentation, or lengthy approval processes. Unlike previous convoluted attempts at expediting housing project approvals, AB 130 provides a clean, broad exemption that applies statewide with no unit caps, minimal labor requirements, and no affordability mandates for most projects.
Thinking

AB 130’s Game-Changer for CEQA Streamlining of Housing Development—The New Infill Exemption

On June 30, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 131, one of the most substantial changes to the California Environmental Quality Act. Among the provisions of SB 131 is a new CEQA exemption intended to streamline the deployment of public park and nonmotorized recreational trail facilities funded by the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (i.e., Proposition 4). As part of our series on the effects of SB 131, we take a deep dive into this new statutory exemption for public parks and nonmotorized trails.
Thinking

New CEQA Exemption for Parks and Trails Funded by Proposition 4

The adoption of the California state budget on June 30 was accompanied by a trailer bill package that included some surprises in the enactment of Assembly Bill (AB) 130 and Senate Bill 131. While much of the discussion regarding the trailer bills has been focused on a substantial California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pivot, an eye-opener for climate action came with AB 130, which incorporated the previously introduced AB 306 and its moratorium on residential reach codes until 2031. This bill has fundamentally altered the regulatory environment for reach codes for the next six years.
Thinking, Event Learning

AB 130 Residential Reach Code Moratorium – Implications for Climate Action 

ClearPath 2.0, a next-generation climate planning platform developed by ICLEI USA and ClimateView, is transforming how local governments visualize, track, and implement climate goals. The City of Elk Grove recently pioneered the platform’s implementation, demonstrating how this innovative tool addresses persistent challenges in climate action planning—from enhancing transparency to enabling precise impact quantification. 
Thinking, Project Learning

ClearPath 2.0: Transforming Climate Action Planning for Local Governments

On March 1, 2025, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to expedite implementation of fire fuel treatment projects. Among other provisions, the Proclamation directs the suspension of certain “statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements” for projects subject to approval by departments of the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency for “critical fuel reduction projects” that are “initiated this calendar year.” It also called for the immediate update of the California Vegetation Treatment Program EIR to increase its usefulness and efficiency for “promoting rapid environmental review for large wildfire risk reduction treatments.” At its Regional Meeting in Marin County on March 27, 2025, the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released more information to explain how CNRA and CalEPA will execute this directive.
Event Learning

Task Force Shares Information on Governor’s Emergency Proclamation to Expedite Fire Fuel Treatments

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) focus on reducing wildfire risk to people, homes, businesses, watersheds, cultural resources, infrastructure, natural ecosystems, and other values or resources within the community. CWPPs are collaboratively developed by local, state, federal and tribal partners, such as emergency responders, FireSafe Councils, local planning staff, and state or federal resource agencies. The California CWPP Toolkit, a great new resource, has been launched by the state. It is a free online resource containing a comprehensive guide, customizable template, best practices, and additional resources to help communities develop and implement effective CWPPs.
Event Learning

CEQA Considerations for Community Wildfire Protection Plans

Two new state laws—Senate Bill (SB) 1425 and Assembly Bill (AB) 1889—require counties and cities to update their general plans to address equitable access to open space, rewilding, wildlife and habitat connectivity, and climate resilience. SB 1425 requires every city and county to review and update its general plan open space element by January 1, 2026, to include plans and an action program that address equitable access, correlated with the environmental justice element; climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space, correlated with the safety element; and rewilding opportunities correlated with the land use element. AB 1889, the “Room to Roam Act,” requires cities and counties to consider the effect of development on wildlife movement and habitat connectivity in the adoption or next revision of their general plan conservation element beginning on January 1, 2028. These new laws can guide the development of more inclusive, resilient, and ecologically connected landscapes across California.
Thinking

New General Plan Requirements for Open Space and Habitat Connectivity

On October 23, 2024, the California First District Court of Appeal released its decision on People of the State of California Ex Rel. Rob Bonta, Attorney General, et al. v. County of Lake. The ruling addressed the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Guenoc Valley Mixed-Use Planned Development Project, a luxury resort consisting of residential estate villas, hotel units, and related infrastructure on 16,000 acres in an unincorporated and largely undeveloped area of Lake County known as the Guenoc Valley Ranch.
Thinking, Project Learning

CEQA Wildfire Risk Evaluation – How Much Analysis Is Enough?

On October 10, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted a petition to list western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and designated the species as a candidate species. This decision has triggered a 12-month status review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A decision on whether to list this species is expected by spring of 2026; however, as a candidate species, western burrowing owl is afforded the same protections as a listed species under CESA, including prohibition of take of individuals.
Thinking

Western Burrowing Owl Becomes a Candidate for Listing under CESA

AB 2091 was signed by Governor Newsom on September 22, 2024, creating a new CEQA exemption for non-motorized public access. The new exemption applies to park districts and the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) when providing new nonmotorized public access to existing roads, trails, parking areas, and similar areas owned by the park district or GRTA. To use the new exemption, the lead agency must hold a public meeting to solicit input, consider effects on natural and tribal cultural resources, make required findings, and file a Notice of Exemption.
Thinking

New CEQA Exemption for Nonmotorized Public Access

What is a “rare” species? In the context of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this became a central question in the recent court decision, Nassiri v. City of Lafayette, et al., First District Court of Appeals, June 27, 2024. The Section 15380 definition of “Endangered, Rare or Threatened Species” has long been a part of the Guidelines. This section also mandates lead agencies to consider a species endangered, rare, or threatened if it can be shown to meet the qualifying criteria described therein, even when the species is not listed under either the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) or federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Public agencies serving as a CEQA lead or responsible agency carry the responsibility to consider a species’ qualification as endangered, rare, or threatened under CEQA based on the facts of the project. This responsibility raises important issues for the environmental practitioner.
Thinking

In CEQA, What is a “Rare” Species?

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued a Restoration Management Permit(RMP) to California State Parks in December 2023 for the Mount Diablo State Park Vegetation Treatment Project. The RMP is the first approved for a CalVTP vegetation treatment project. It is part of CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape program to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration throughout the state. CSP’s CalVTP project qualified for the first RMP because it would create ecological benefits for the covered species, Alameda whipsnake.
Thinking

AB 1757 Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets Released

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announces the release of new tools for efficient California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) implementation and Project-Specific Analysis (PSA) preparation.
Project Learning

New Information and Tools to Support CalVTP Implementation

How do you build consensus when facing a challenge as complicated and intersectional as climate change? Check out our free recorded webinar and scenario toolkit to learn how to collaborate with stakeholders to create a climate action plan that meets multiple objectives and benefits.
Event Learning

Consensus Building for Climate Action Planning –
A Professional Development Webinar

On April 20, 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) published updated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidance to assist lead agencies in evaluating air quality and climate impacts from proposed land use projects and plans (referred to as the 2022 CEQA Guidelines).
Thinking

BAAQMD Releases Updated CEQA Guidelines to Assist Lead Agencies

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our workspaces has become an important core value embraced by many organizations in the planning and environmental industry.
Event Learning

A Collaborative Approach to Increasing Diversity in the Environmental and Planning Industry

fire scarred hillside neighborhood
Thinking

Attorney General Releases Guidance for Analyzing Wildfire Impacts of New Development

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Bumble Bees Are Endangered? What’s the Buzz?

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Senate Bill 2 Planning Grants Program provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions for planning efforts that accelerate housing approvals and increase housing production. As a part of the program, these toolkits.
Project Learning

SB 2 Planning Grants Program Provides Technical Assistance to Local Jurisdictions for Planning Efforts

midtown sacramento, neighborhood, street, homes
Project Learning

Sacramento’s Bold Strategies to Address Housing Needs and Homelessness

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

New Coastal and Water Quality Streamlining for CalVTP Program EIR Users

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Recent Court Cases Regarding State Water Board Procedures

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Important Fire Fuel CEQA Exemption Certified

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Project Learning

CalVTP – Integrating Biological Resource Protection into Wildfire Risk Reduction

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Governor Extends Suspension of Certain CEQA Noticing Requirements

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Environmental Justice in CEQA?
It Is Here, and It Is Time

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Mountain Lions in Southern California and the Central Coast Considered for Listing

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

Speeding the Transition from LOS to VMT

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

California Moves to Protect Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog and Four Bee Species

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Project Learning

SB 2 Technical Assistance Webpage Helps Cities and Counties Accelerate Housing Production

In September 2018, Governor Brown issued Executive Order (EO) B-55-18. It established a new statewide goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Additionally, Senate Bill (SB) 100, The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018, was signed into law.
Thinking

California Carbon Neutrality – Planning and Environmental Practice Ideas

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking, Project Learning

SB 2 Funds Available to Help Cities and Counties Increase Housing Supply

As another step in implementing the President’s environmental policy framework, including Executive Order (EO) 13807, on June 20, 2018 CEQ posted Advance Notice of proposed rulemaking to update National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, 40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500-1508.
Thinking

NEPA Time and Page Limits – Practical Approaches

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

California Releases Cal-Adapt 2.0 Upgrade to the State’s Climate Change Geospatial Data Tool

The valley elderberry longhorn beetle, which remains listed as threatened under the ESA after withdrawal of a proposal to delist the species, occurs throughout California’s Central Valley from approximately Shasta County to Fresno County.
Thinking

New Federal Guidance for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle and California Tiger Salamander

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

California Extends Cap-and-Trade and Requires Community Pollutant Reductions

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Project Learning

Planning Issues and Innovations from the San Francisco Bay Area

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued a Restoration Management Permit(RMP) to California State Parks in December 2023 for the Mount Diablo State Park Vegetation Treatment Project. The RMP is the first approved for a CalVTP vegetation treatment project. It is part of CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape program to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration throughout the state. CSP’s CalVTP project qualified for the first RMP because it would create ecological benefits for the covered species, Alameda whipsnake.
Thinking

GHG Analysis in Response to the California Supreme Court’s Newhall Ranch Decision

On May 31, 2022, the Third District Court of Appeal determined that four bumble bee species are eligible for California Endangered Species Act listing.
Thinking

CDFG Releases New Burrowing Owl Survey and Mitigation Guidelines

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