Sacramento – Today, the California Senate Committee on Environmental Quality unanimously passed AB 356 and AB 682, bills that would extend CEQA litigation relief for housing refurbishment and improve transparency & communication between water systems and the State Water Board, respectively. Assemblyman Mathis issued the following statement upon the passage of these bills:
“I’m pleased with the Environmental Committee’s decision to pass my pro-housing and pro-water bills. AB 356 would continue to streamline the refurbishment of abandoned or dilapidated buildings by expanding a CEQA exemption that was set to sunset. This bill will reduce the threats of litigation for many housing projects, allowing us to upgrade our housing stock. AB 682 requires the State Water Board to implement recommendations from the State Auditor designed to expedite the processing of applications for the state drinking water system. This bill will boost access to the financing of safe water projects for applicants and modernize the online application system, therefore ensuring that communities have access to safe and affordable drinking water. Both of these bills will improve the lives of working families in the State and I thank the Senate Environmental Quality Committee for your unanimous support of my bills.”
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