California Environmental Quality Act: judicial challenge: litigation transparency: identification of contributors.
The bill seeks to amend Section 21175 of the Public Resources Code, mandating that plaintiffs not only identify monetary contributors but also disclose any pecuniary or business interest they have regarding the project in question. Failure to comply with these disclosures can result in the dismissal of the action. By enforcing these requirements, AB 3054 hopes to protect judicial resources and ensure genuine environmental concerns are appropriately channeled in CEQA lawsuits, rather than being manipulated by vested interests.
Assembly Bill 3054, introduced by Assembly Member Salas, aims to enhance transparency in litigation related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill requires that any plaintiff or petitioner initiating a legal action under CEQA disclose the identities of individuals or entities contributing $1,000 or more towards the petitioner's legal costs. This measure is intended to curb the use of litigation for competitive purposes and ensure that the motivations behind legal challenges to environmental projects are publicly visible.
There is a notable contention surrounding AB 3054 regarding the balance it seeks to achieve between transparency and privacy. Supporters argue that the law will prevent misuse of CEQA for economic competition and offer greater clarity on the forces behind environmental litigation. However, critics express concerns that these requirements may deter citizens from engaging in legal efforts to hold agencies accountable over concerns about confidentiality and the public's right to know versus the contributors' rights to privacy in certain circumstances.