AB 2569: California Environmental Quality Act: natural hazards and adverse environmental conditions.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report (EIR) on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment.

CEQA defines “environment” and “significant effect on the environment” for its purposes. CEQA requires the EIR to include a detailed statement setting forth specified facts.

This bill would expand those definitions to include impacts on people, as specified. The bill would additionally require the lead agency to include in the EIR a detailed statement on any significant effects that may result from locating the proposed project near, or attracting people to, existing or reasonably foreseeable natural hazards or adverse environmental conditions. Because the lead agency would be required to undertake this additional consideration, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 14, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. April 29, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. April 14, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 4.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. March 9, 2026Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
5. February 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
6. February 20, 2026Read first time. To print.