The L.A. wildfires last January accounted for two of our four most-read stories last year. The passage of SB 79 and other housing legislation, along with the passing of parking guru Donald Shoup, were also high on the list.
Proposed 2026 ballot measure would create two categories of projects: "essential projects" subject to tighter timelines and other projects subject to current law.
This year's CEQA reform will put more pressure on cities and counties to bulletproof their housing element EIRs. But it also creates a much "cleaner" exemption for infill housing than was previously available.
Most bills have to do with housing, seeking to further sweep away regulations that restrict housing approvals. One new law would subject cities to attorney's fees and additional fines if they violate housing reform laws.