On June 30, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law (AB 130 and SB 131) that include reform measures to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
CEQA, a state law similar to the National Environmental Policy Act and originally enacted in 1970, requires California state and local agencies to analyze and disclose potential environmental impacts of proposed development projects. Various stakeholders have raised concerns that CEQA contributes to California’s housing shortage and affordability crisis, with some arguing that the process causes delays or halts projects that have already met local environmental and zoning standards.