Assembly hearing exposes wide debate over Delta conveyance and proposed CEQA change

The California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 held an extended hearing on two administration trailer bills aimed at speeding Delta permitting and water-quality planning, drawing broad opposition from lawmakers, local governments, tribes and environmental groups and support from major water contractors and construction trades.

The State Water Resources Control Board proposal would declare water quality control plan amendments to be actions to protect the environment and make them categorically exempt under CEQA’s Class 8 exemption, reducing the need for project‑level CEQA analyses when the board updates water quality plans. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) trailer bill would streamline multiple Delta‑related processes: clarifying water‑rights protest rules in Board proceedings, validating DWR’s authority to issue bonds, providing procedural changes modeled on prior streamlined judicial review statutes, and easing certain land‑acquisition and construction timing requirements for the Delta Conveyance Project, a single‑tunnel export project DWR describes as a 6,000 cubic‑feet‑per‑second diversion intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure in the Delta.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) and many Assembly members urged deferral of both trailer bills “without prejudice” so the Legislature can review the complex policy, legal and fiscal consequences outside the compressed budget calendar. LAO staff argued both items are complex policy matters that are not essential to passing the June budget and…