Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Prosperity California, The Housing Action Coalition and Bay Area Council issued the following statement following the passage of SB 607 out of the California State Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday, May 23: 

SB 607 is critical legislation designed to lower the cost of living for Californians and remove unnecessary obstacles and delays to building childcare centers, clean energy projects, hospitals, food banks, small businesses, affordable housing, and other essential projects California’s working families need most. By making targeted reforms to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), SB 607 will preserve key environmental protections while making it faster and easier for communities to build the essential services they need, while keeping costs down for consumers.

We are looking forward to continuing to work with Governor Newsom, Senator Wiener, and Senate and Assembly leadership to advance this important legislation as part of California’s budget. Working together we can deliver the projects we need most to make our communities more affordable for all Californians.

“We are encouraged by the strong commitment by Senator Wiener, Governor Newsom, Assembly Speaker Rivas, and the Senate President Pro Tempore McGuire that SB 607 be included in this year’s budget, but are disappointed that the Senate Appropriations Committee reduced the measure to “intent language.”  We believe SB 607 is an incredibly strong framework to build upon to make long-overdue changes to update the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to reduce duplicative and unnecessary environmental reviews, promote infill development, and prevent CEQA abuse. 

“We are further encouraged by the author and President Pro Tempore’s recognition that SB 607 is needed for more than just housing and is also necessary to help the state achieve its energy, quality of life, safety, and transportation needs. RCRC supports CEQA’s core objectives of disclosure, informing the decision-making process, and mitigating a project’s significant impacts on the environment, but it is imperative that the Legislature must act to restore balance to CEQA by reducing delays, added costs, and risk of litigation abuse. We look forward to continued work on this vital and historic effort.” John Kennedy, Senior Policy Advocate, Rural County Representatives of California

“Californians are struggling with an incredibly high cost of living. We can create the thriving and inclusive economy that future generations deserve by building new industries with higher-paying jobs, more abundant and affordable housing, and more renewable energy infrastructure. And we can do that while maintaining robust environmental protections. CEQA remains a critical tool to protect communities and mitigate harm from environmentally damaging projects. SB 607 will preserve critical environmental safeguards while lowering costs and improving access to the essential services Californians desperately need.” Melissa Breach, Chief Executive Officer, Prosperity California.

“While we’re disappointed that SB 607 was significantly amended, we’re encouraged to see its core principles being considered as part of the budget conversation. This is far from the end. SB 607 has always been about making sure our state’s environmental review process works better — not just for housing, but for climate action, sustainable development, and equity. California’s current CEQA framework is too often misused to block exactly the kinds of infill, affordable, and sustainable housing our communities desperately need, along with projects to produce clean energy jobs, childcare spaces, and health centers that make these homes worth living in. We’re committed to continuing the fight for thoughtful, responsible reform that clears a path to the homes and communities Californians need while upholding our environmental values. The urgency hasn’t changed — and neither has our resolve.” Corey Smith, Executive Director, The Housing Action Coalition 

“Good laws are meant to serve the broader public interest—not just a select few. Over the years, however, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has too often been misused in ways that undermine its original purpose. Nowhere is this more evident than in housing, where CEQA challenges have frequently delayed or derailed critically needed projects, with disastrous impacts on residents’ cost of living. Just as important, meritless litigation has likewise hampered our transition to clean energy and stalled infrastructure needed to maintain the state’s ability to compete. SB 607, a bill sponsored by the Bay Area Council, aimed to address the most problematic of these abuses while preserving essential environmental protections. We’re encouraged that Governor Newsom supports this important effort and has proposed to include it in the state budget. We look forward to working with Senate President Pro Tem McGuire, Speaker Rivas, and the Governor to see this policy through to passage and help accelerate the progress California so urgently needs on housing.” Jim Wunderman, President and CEO, Bay Area Council 

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