Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permit Processing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances AB 301 to impose state agency timelines for permit reviews
Summary
AB 301 would require state agencies to meet the same review and permitting "shot clocks" that local governments face, aiming to reduce delays in state reviews that can stall housing projects. Supporters cited lengthy state reviews; a public commenter warned of rushed approvals.
Assemblymember Shavo presented AB 301, a bill that would establish clear timelines for state departments to review and respond to project permits, aligning state agency review deadlines with the shot clocks already imposed on cities, counties and special districts.
Supporters said state‑level review delays are a frequent source of project hold‑ups that add cost and deter small and larger builders alike. Corey Smith of the Housing Action Coalition told the committee that state agency reviews can create bottlenecks — for example, a Department of Toxic Substances Control review that took over a year — and that setting reasonable time frames would create ‘‘good government guardrails’’ to speed projects from entitlement to construction.
The bill drew broad support from housing advocates, business groups and planning organizations, including the American Planning Association, California YIMBY, the California Chamber, and AARP. Supporters said the measure would not remove substantive review authority but would require state agencies to act in a predictable timeframe, or provide notice when more time is needed for complex health‑and‑safety matters.
A member of the public spoke in opposition, saying the proposed time limits could constrain agencies and permit unsafe approvals; the speaker said the language appeared to allow automatic approvals if agencies missed deadlines. County and city associations registered constructive feedback and asked for more dialogue; bill staff and the author said they were working with local government stakeholders to refine language and ensure that reviews for hazardous issues would receive necessary time.
Committee discussion emphasized the balance between speeding rebuilding and guaranteeing health and safety reviews. Assemblymember Wicks, a principal co‑author on the bill, moved it forward and the committee voted to pass AB 301 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
Outcome and next steps: AB 301 passed out of committee to Appropriations. The author and staff indicated they will continue discussions with state agencies and local governments to clarify how the timelines apply to complex reviews.
Votes at a glance: The committee recorded an affirmative vote; recorded yes votes include Haney, Patterson, Avila Farias, Colosa, Gallagher, Lee, Cork Silva, Ta, Wicks, Wilson and Gabriel (11 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain recorded in the roll referenced in the hearing).
