Proposed California Law Could Fast Track CEQA Litigation for Large Developments

"Two Hollywood mega-projects could mark the Los Angeles skyline years sooner than planned if state lawmakers pass a bill intending to cut down on lawsuits against large developments in California," reports Liam Dillon.

"Under the bill, both projects — a $1-billion redevelopment of the Crossroads of the World complex and a $200-million hotel and residential development at the corner of Yucca Street and Argyle Avenue — would receive a new defense against potential lengthy litigation under the state’s main environmental law governing development," adds Dillon.

Though SB 734 would assist these two developments and others already underway in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the bill's reach is potentially much broader. It would expedite litigation through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for "any project in California that costs more than $100 million to build, provides for higher wages for construction workers and meets strict targets for greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy."