CA SB621

Requires the Judicial Council to adopt a rule of court by July 1, 2020 that expedites CEQA lawsuits involving affordable housing projects to be resolved within 270 days of filing the certified record with the court.

Defines "affordable housing project" as a development meeting seven criteria including LEED Gold certification, at least 30% units affordable to households at or below 80% of area median income, no more than 200 units, and location on infill sites near major transit stops.

Excludes expedited judicial review for affordable housing projects located in very high fire hazard severity zones or high/very high fire hazard severity zones unless the site has adopted fire hazard mitigation measures.

Requires the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2024 comparing litigation timelines for expedited versus non-expedited CEQA actions and whether expedited review has delayed other civil litigation.

Requires annual reporting beginning January 1, 2021 on the number of CEQA lawsuits involving development projects compared to total development projects undertaken in the prior fiscal year.

All provisions sunset and are repealed on January 1, 2025.