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| 1 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 819Introduced by Senator PadillaFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 819, as introduced, Padilla. California Environmental Quality Act.The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.CEQA makes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state and states the intent of the Legislature for state agencies to regulate activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations and to the statement of intent.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 2 | 2 | ||
| 3 | - | ||
| 3 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 819Introduced by Senator PadillaFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 819, as introduced, Padilla. California Environmental Quality Act.The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.CEQA makes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state and states the intent of the Legislature for state agencies to regulate activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations and to the statement of intent.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO | |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 5 | - | Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 | |
| 6 | 5 | ||
| 7 | - | Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 | |
| 6 | + | ||
| 7 | + | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 9 | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 11 | Senate Bill | |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| 13 | 13 | No. 819 | |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| 15 | 15 | Introduced by Senator PadillaFebruary 21, 2025 | |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| 17 | 17 | Introduced by Senator Padilla | |
| 18 | 18 | February 21, 2025 | |
| 19 | 19 | ||
| 20 | - | An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. | |
| 20 | + | An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality. | |
| 21 | 21 | ||
| 22 | 22 | LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 23 | 23 | ||
| 24 | 24 | ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 25 | 25 | ||
| 26 | - | SB 819, as | |
| 26 | + | SB 819, as introduced, Padilla. California Environmental Quality Act. | |
| 27 | 27 | ||
| 28 | - | The hazardous waste control laws require the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to regulate the handling and management of hazardous waste and hazardous materials. A violation of the hazardous waste control laws is a crime.Existing law requires a generator of hazardous waste to pay to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration a generation and handling fee for each generator site that generates a specified amount of waste, as provided, and authorizes DTSC to adopt regulations necessary to implement generator fees.Existing law exempts geothermal waste resulting from drilling for geothermal resources from the hazardous waste control laws for a specified reason. Existing law also exempts geothermal waste, excluding filter cake, that is generated from the exploration, development, or production of geothermal energy and that does not result from drilling for geothermal resources, from the hazardous waste control laws under specified circumstances.This bill would require the DTSC to prepare and submit to the Legislature, no later than July 1, 2026, a study regarding the issues that would arise if geothermal waste that is not exempt from generation and handling fees pursuant to existing law is made exempt from those fees.The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.CEQA makes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state and states the intent of the Legislature for state agencies to regulate activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations and to the statement of intent. | |
| 29 | - | ||
| 30 | - | The hazardous waste control laws require the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to regulate the handling and management of hazardous waste and hazardous materials. A violation of the hazardous waste control laws is a crime. | |
| 31 | - | ||
| 32 | - | Existing law requires a generator of hazardous waste to pay to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration a generation and handling fee for each generator site that generates a specified amount of waste, as provided, and authorizes DTSC to adopt regulations necessary to implement generator fees. | |
| 33 | - | ||
| 34 | - | Existing law exempts geothermal waste resulting from drilling for geothermal resources from the hazardous waste control laws for a specified reason. Existing law also exempts geothermal waste, excluding filter cake, that is generated from the exploration, development, or production of geothermal energy and that does not result from drilling for geothermal resources, from the hazardous waste control laws under specified circumstances. | |
| 35 | - | ||
| 36 | - | This bill would require the DTSC to prepare and submit to the Legislature, no later than July 1, 2026, a study regarding the issues that would arise if geothermal waste that is not exempt from generation and handling fees pursuant to existing law is made exempt from those fees. | |
| 28 | + | The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.CEQA makes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state and states the intent of the Legislature for state agencies to regulate activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations and to the statement of intent. | |
| 37 | 29 | ||
| 38 | 30 | The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment. | |
| 39 | 31 | ||
| 40 | - | ||
| 41 | - | ||
| 42 | 32 | CEQA makes various legislative findings and declarations regarding the maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state and states the intent of the Legislature for state agencies to regulate activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage. | |
| 43 | 33 | ||
| 44 | - | ||
| 45 | - | ||
| 46 | 34 | This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those findings and declarations and to the statement of intent. | |
| 47 | - | ||
| 48 | - | ||
| 49 | 35 | ||
| 50 | 36 | ## Digest Key | |
| 51 | 37 | ||
| 52 | 38 | ## Bill Text | |
| 53 | 39 | ||
| 54 | - | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. | |
| 40 | + | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 55 | 41 | ||
| 56 | 42 | The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 57 | 43 | ||
| 58 | 44 | ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 59 | 45 | ||
| 60 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 46 | + | SECTION 1. Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 61 | 47 | ||
| 62 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 48 | + | SECTION 1. Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: | |
| 63 | 49 | ||
| 64 | 50 | ### SECTION 1. | |
| 65 | 51 | ||
| 66 | - | ||
| 52 | + | 21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 67 | 53 | ||
| 68 | - | ||
| 54 | + | 21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 69 | 55 | ||
| 70 | - | Article 3.7. Geothermal Waste Study | |
| 71 | - | ||
| 72 | - | Article 3.7. Geothermal Waste Study | |
| 73 | - | ||
| 74 | - | 25138. (a) The department shall prepare and submit to the Legislature, no later than July 1, 2026, in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, a study regarding the issues that would arise if geothermal waste that is not exempt from generation and handling fees pursuant to this chapter is made exempt from those fees.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this article shall become inoperative on July 1, 2030, and is repealed on January 1, 2031. | |
| 56 | + | 21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:(a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.(b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people.(c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state.(d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached.(e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.(f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.(g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. | |
| 75 | 57 | ||
| 76 | 58 | ||
| 77 | 59 | ||
| 78 | - | 25138. (a) The department shall prepare and submit to the Legislature, no later than July 1, 2026, in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, a study regarding the issues that would arise if geothermal waste that is not exempt from generation and handling fees pursuant to this chapter is made exempt from those fees. | |
| 79 | - | ||
| 80 | - | (b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this article shall become inoperative on July 1, 2030, and is repealed on January 1, 2031. | |
| 81 | - | ||
| 82 | - | ||
| 83 | - | ||
| 84 | - | ||
| 85 | - | ||
| 86 | - | The Legislature finds and declares as follows: | |
| 87 | - | ||
| 88 | - | ||
| 60 | + | 21000. The Legislature finds and declares as follows: | |
| 89 | 61 | ||
| 90 | 62 | (a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern. | |
| 91 | 63 | ||
| 92 | - | ||
| 93 | - | ||
| 94 | - | (b)It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of people. | |
| 95 | - | ||
| 96 | - | ||
| 64 | + | (b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of man. people. | |
| 97 | 65 | ||
| 98 | 66 | (c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the state. | |
| 99 | 67 | ||
| 100 | - | ||
| 101 | - | ||
| 102 | - | (d)The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent those thresholds being reached. | |
| 103 | - | ||
| 104 | - | ||
| 68 | + | (d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated actions necessary to prevent such those thresholds being reached. | |
| 105 | 69 | ||
| 106 | 70 | (e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment. | |
| 107 | 71 | ||
| 108 | - | ||
| 109 | - | ||
| 110 | 72 | (f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the management of natural resources and waste disposal requires systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution. | |
| 111 | 73 | ||
| 112 | - | ||
| 113 | - | ||
| 114 | - | (g)It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies that are found to affect the quality of the environment shall regulate those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for all Californians. | |
| 74 | + | (g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the state government which that regulate activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies which that are found to affect the quality of the environment, environment shall regulate such those activities so that major consideration is given to preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian. all Californians. |