CA AB1488

Expands the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021 to include water storage projects, water conveyance projects, and groundwater recharge projects that provide public benefits and drought preparedness as eligible environmental leadership development projects.

Extends the Governor's certification deadline for water storage, water conveyance, and groundwater recharge projects from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025, while maintaining the January 1, 2024 deadline for other project types.

Removes the January 1, 2025 expiration date for lead agency approval of water storage, water conveyance, and groundwater recharge projects certified under this chapter, allowing them to remain valid indefinitely.

Requires water storage, water conveyance, and groundwater recharge projects certified as environmental leadership development projects to comply with existing streamlining procedures, including record preparation, mitigation monitoring, and applicant cost-sharing for trial court and court of appeal proceedings.

Declares that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies because they have authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments to cover mandated costs.