Rewritten to address desperately needed CEQA reform, SB 317 (sponsored by Senator Rubio) proposes significant revisions to CEQA via a completely different statute – The Sustainable Environmental Protection Act. While environmentalists claim the changes are “last minute” and would completely “gut” CEQA, business interests contend the proposed changes have been in the works for at least 16 months and last years’ streamlining helped few, if any, development projects – especially those pertaining to infill and projects necessary to comply with AB 32, SB 375, and other key environmental statutes. For a fact sheet outlining the provisions of SB 317, click on the following link: http://www.calchamber.com/governmentrelations/documents/sb%20317_%20fact_sheet_08-21-12.pdf
