SB 55 Summary

• Exempts emergency shelters and supportive housing projects in urbanized areas from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements until January 1, 2025, if they meet specified conditions including consistency with general plans and no significant effects on noise, air quality, or water quality.

• Requires local agencies to submit initiative petitions proposing projects to voters for approval if the agency determines approval would constitute a project approval under CEQA, ensuring voter oversight of citizen-initiated development proposals.

• Expedites CEQA litigation by requiring early case management conferences, establishing procedures for record preparation, and allowing parties to assume costs of record preparation while waiving cost recovery rights.

• Authorizes lead agencies to post environmental impact report responses online at least 30 days before project approval hearings and set 10-day comment deadlines for final submissions, with specific notice requirements to the public.

• Directs the Judicial Council to compile expertise lists of CEQA judges, assess transfer procedures for complex cases, and submit a report by July 1, 2021, on improving consistency and speed in CEQA litigation across counties.