CA SB239

Restricts standing to challenge environmental impact reports, negative declarations, or mitigated negative declarations under CEQA to the Attorney General only, eliminating private right of action for other persons.

Authorizes courts to dismiss CEQA actions brought by the Attorney General if determined to be for nonenvironmental purposes (such as business competition, project delays unrelated to environment, or extracting non-environmental concessions), and allows award of attorneys' fees.

Prohibits courts from staying or enjoining project construction or operation unless the court finds an imminent threat to public health and safety or unforeseen important Native American artifacts or historical, archaeological, or ecological values would be materially and permanently adversely affected.

Bars additional CEQA lawsuits against housing development projects after a trial court issues a peremptory writ of mandate, and prohibits consideration of claims not raised in the original action or not resolved in petitioners' favor.

Requires CEQA actions challenging commercial, housing, or public works projects addressing longstanding critical needs to be resolved within 365 days of filing the record with the court, with limited exceptions, through January 1, 2030.