<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<ns0:MeasureDoc xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:ns0="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1#" xmlns:ns3="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" version="1.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1# xca.1.xsd">
	


	<ns0:Description>
		<ns0:Id>20250SB__029998AMD</ns0:Id>
		<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
		<ns0:History>
			<ns0:Action>
				<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-10</ns0:ActionDate>
			</ns0:Action>
			<ns0:Action>
				<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-05-07</ns0:ActionDate>
			</ns0:Action>
		</ns0:History>
		<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
			<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
			<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
			<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
			<ns0:MeasureNum>299</ns0:MeasureNum>
			<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
		</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Cabaldon</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:Authors>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Cabaldon</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
		</ns0:Authors>
		<ns0:Title>An act to amend Sections 25131, 36934, and 65860 of the Government Code, relating to local government.</ns0:Title>
		<ns0:RelatingClause>local government</ns0:RelatingClause>
		<ns0:GeneralSubject>
			<ns0:Subject>Local government: ordinances.</ns0:Subject>
		</ns0:GeneralSubject>
		<ns0:DigestText>
			<html:p>Existing law prohibits a county or city from passing an ordinance within five days of introduction and requires the ordinance to be passed at a regular meeting or at an adjourned regular meeting, except that existing law authorizes an urgency ordinance to be passed immediately upon introduction at a regular or special meeting. Existing law requires all ordinances to be read in full at the time of introduction or passage, as specified. Existing law requires nonurgency ordinances that are altered after introduction to be passed at a regular or at an adjourned regular meeting at least five days after alteration, as specified.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would instead prohibit a county or city from passing an ordinance within five days of publication, as specified, except that the bill would authorize an urgency ordinance to be passed immediately upon introduction.
			 The bill would remove the other procedures described above.</html:p>
			<html:p>The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA does not apply to the approval of ministerial projects.</html:p>
			<html:p>Existing law requires a county or city ordinance to be consistent with the general plan of the county or city, as specified. Existing law requires a zoning ordinance to be amended within a reasonable time in the event that the ordinance becomes inconsistent with the general plan by reason of amendment to the general plan, or to any element of the plan, as specified.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would
			 authorize a county or city to deem that the adoption or amendment of a zoning ordinance or related zoning standard to comply with an amended general plan, or amended element of the plan, is subject to a streamlined, ministerial approval process, as specified. By establishing a streamlined, ministerial approval process for certain housing developments, this bill would expand the exemption for the ministerial approval of projects under CEQA.</html:p>
		</ns0:DigestText>
		<ns0:DigestKey>
			<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
			<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
			<ns0:FiscalCommittee>NO</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
			<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
		</ns0:DigestKey>
		<ns0:MeasureIndicators>
			<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
			<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
				<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
				<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
				<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
				<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
				<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
				<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
			</ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
		</ns0:MeasureIndicators>
	</ns0:Description>
	<ns0:Bill id="bill">
		<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
		<ns0:BillSection id="id_20A7891B-4A33-4559-952E-D80A3688BCD0">
			<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
			<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'3.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'PART'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'25131.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
				Section 25131 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
				 is amended to read:
			</ns0:ActionLine>
			<ns0:Fragment>
				<ns0:LawSection id="id_5C0A4C94-4804-4107-AA72-D7678296A73A">
					<ns0:Num>25131.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0CE1A793-B1C0-4A98-A752-5F0CF71E5BBA">
						<ns0:Content>
							<html:p>
								(a)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Except as provided in subdivision (b), an ordinance shall not be passed within five days of its publication in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 25124.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(b)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An urgency ordinance may be passed immediately upon introduction.
							</html:p>
						</ns0:Content>
					</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
				</ns0:LawSection>
			</ns0:Fragment>
		</ns0:BillSection>
		<ns0:BillSection id="id_B60FB2E7-4C92-42FB-912C-3578709A5C3D">
			<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
			<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'4.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'3.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'PART'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'36934.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
				Section 36934 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
				 is amended to read:
			</ns0:ActionLine>
			<ns0:Fragment>
				<ns0:LawSection id="id_CD3E2FBC-752A-44B6-B25E-98F4F21D9292">
					<ns0:Num>36934.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_3DE1E53E-6957-4069-9360-86E299748649">
						<ns0:Content>
							<html:p>
								(a)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Except as provided in subdivision (b), an ordinance shall not be passed within five days of its publication in accordance with paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 36933.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(b)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An urgency ordinance may be passed immediately upon introduction.
							</html:p>
						</ns0:Content>
					</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
				</ns0:LawSection>
			</ns0:Fragment>
		</ns0:BillSection>
		<ns0:BillSection id="id_DE90DAA3-6F05-4F82-B360-5D0247FF9835">
			<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
			<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_AMENDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:GOV:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'TITLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'7.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'1.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'4.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'2.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawSection%5Bcaml%3ANum%3D'65860.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SECTION" ns3:type="locator">
				Section 65860 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
				 is amended to read:
			</ns0:ActionLine>
			<ns0:Fragment>
				<ns0:LawSection id="id_985F4E8A-D3E1-4741-9AE2-69354E452837">
					<ns0:Num>65860.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_E991179E-D87E-40D5-B4BC-2F827288802E">
						<ns0:Content>
							<html:p>
								(a)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								County or city zoning ordinances shall be consistent with the general plan of the county or city by January 1, 1974. A zoning ordinance shall be consistent with a city or county general plan only if both of the following conditions are met:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The city or county has officially adopted a plan.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The various land uses authorized by the ordinance are compatible with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs specified in the plan.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(b)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A resident or property owner within a city or a county, as the case may be, may bring an action or proceeding in the
						superior court to enforce compliance with this section. An action or proceeding shall be governed by Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1084) of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. An action or proceeding shall not be maintained pursuant to this section by a person unless the action or proceeding is commenced and service is made on the legislative body within 90 days of any of the following:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The enactment of any new zoning ordinance.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The amendment of any existing zoning ordinance.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The failure of a local agency to comply with this section.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(c)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								In the event that a zoning ordinance becomes inconsistent with a
						general plan by reason of amendment to the general plan, or to any element of the plan, the zoning ordinance shall be amended within a reasonable time so that it is consistent with the general plan, as amended.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If a zoning ordinance becomes inconsistent with the general plan due to amendment to the general plan or to any element of the general plan, and a local agency receives a development application for a project that is not subject to Section 65589.5 and that is consistent with the general plan, but inconsistent with the zoning ordinance, the local agency shall do one of the following:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								For any provision of the zoning ordinance that is applicable to the proposed development and inconsistent with the general plan, amend the zoning ordinance within 180 days from the receipt of
						the development application to be consistent with the general plan.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(B)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Process the development application in accordance with all applicable laws. When processing the development application, the local agency shall apply the objective general plan standards, but not inconsistent zoning standards, to the proposed development project to facilitate and accommodate development at the density allowed on the site by the general plan. A proposed development shall not be deemed inconsistent with any zoning ordinance or related zoning standard or criteria and shall not be required to be rezoned to accommodate the proposed development, if there is substantial evidence that would allow a reasonable person to conclude that the proposed development is consistent with objective general plan standards and criteria but the zoning for the project site
						is inconsistent with the general plan. The objective general plan standards shall be applied to facilitate and accommodate development at the density allowed on the site by the general plan and proposed by the development project.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If a local agency fails to amend the zoning ordinance within 180 days from the receipt of the development application pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2), the local agency shall process the development application pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2).
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Subject to subparagraph (B), a county or city may adopt or amend a zoning ordinance to comply with paragraph (1) via a streamlined, ministerial approval process if the legislative body adopts a policy via resolution or ordinance at a regular public meeting that delegates the authority to a city manager, county administrator, planning director, or equivalent position only if both of the following requirements are met:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The general plan identifies the zoning category for the parcel or parcels whose land use designation was subject to change under the general plan amendment and the rezoning implements those zoning categories for those parcels.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the rezoning includes within its boundaries any natural and protected lands, or any portion thereof, the rezoning excludes those natural and protected lands from the rezoning.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(B)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The procedure described in subparagraph (A)
						shall not be used in any of the following circumstances:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A rezoning or portion of a rezoning that changes the zoning designation of one or more parcels from a nonindustrial use to an industrial use or from a less intensive industrial use to a more intensive industrial use.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A rezoning that would allow for construction to occur within the boundaries of any natural and protected lands.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(iii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Any change that would have a significant impact on the environment and shall be subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(iv)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Any change that would modify a zoning category, definition, or standard.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(C)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								For purposes of this paragraph, “natural and protected lands” means sites located within any of the following locations:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The state park system, as described in
						Article 1 (commencing with Section 5001) of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A wilderness area, as defined in Section 5093.32 of the Public Resources Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(iii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A marine protected area, as defined in Section 2852 of the Fish and Game Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(iv)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The National Park System, as defined in Section 100102 of Title 54 of the United States Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(v)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A national recreation area.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(vi)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A national monument.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(vii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The national wild and scenic rivers system, as defined in Section 1273 of Title 16 of the United States Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(viii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Any ecological reserve or wildlife management area acquired and managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 1525) or Article 4 (commencing with Section 1580) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Fish and Game Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ix)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A hazardous waste site that is listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code or a hazardous waste site designated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 78760) of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 45 of the Health and Safety Code, unless either of the following apply:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(I)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The site is an underground storage tank site that received a uniform closure letter issued pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 25296.10 of the Health and Safety Code based on closure criteria established by the State Water Resources Control Board for the use proposed by the project. This paragraph does not alter or change the conditions to remove a site from the list of hazardous waste sites listed pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the Government Code.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(II)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The State Department of Public Health, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, or a local agency making a
						determination pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25296.10 of the Health and Safety Code has otherwise determined that the site is suitable for the use proposed by the project.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(x)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Within a regulatory floodway as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in any official maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, unless the development has received a no-rise certification in accordance with Section 60.3(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(xi)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Lands under conservation easement.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(d)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Notwithstanding Section 65803, this section shall also apply to a charter city.
							</html:p>
						</ns0:Content>
					</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
				</ns0:LawSection>
			</ns0:Fragment>
		</ns0:BillSection>
	</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>