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Senators hear cleanup bill to AB 98 that would limit warehouse impacts on nearby communities
Summary
AB 735, described as a follow-up to last year's AB 98, would refine requirements for warehouse siting and operations, address affordable housing language, and give more time for small jurisdictions to update circulation elements; sponsors said more work remains before final consensus.
Senator Creo presented AB 735, a cleanup and clarification bill to AB 98, to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill aims to refine how the state regulates warehouses and logistics facilities that can affect nearby communities, particularly regarding air quality, truck routing, and local planning obligations.
Creo said the measure responds to stakeholder concerns raised after AB 98's enactment and seeks a balance between keeping logistics jobs in California and reducing negative community impacts. He described provisions that would preserve existing affordable housing requirements, exempt certain port properties and agricultural uses, extend timelines for small cities and counties to update circulation elements, and give the attorney general discretion to work with local governments attempting to comply in good faith.
Stakeholders took "tweener" positions: the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and the California Business Properties Association said they were working with the author to clarify definitions around port properties; the League of California Cities and other local-government groups raised concerns about attorney general enforcement language and urged further changes to avoid imposing prescriptive duties on jurisdictions that currently lack large warehouse facilities. No formal opposition was recorded in the transcript, though multiple groups urged additional amendments.
Senators on the dais said they would support continued negotiations and, at least for the committee hearing, recommended an "I vote" with reservations. The author said he would continue to work through summer recess and hoped to return in August with additional changes. No formal committee vote was held during the portion of the hearing recorded in the transcript.
