Olsen & Perea CEQA Reform Measure Passes Assembly

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Bill 890 by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, passed off the Assembly floor with strong bipartisan support. AB 890 will streamline the process for cities and counties to make minor roadway safety improvements.  “This bill will save lives and will also save cities and counties time and money as they work to improve road safety,” said Olsen.

 “I am pleased to have the bipartisan support of my colleagues for this CEQA reform bill and will continue working hard as it moves through the Senate so that this commonsense, lifesaving measure can become law.”   Joint author Henry Perea, D- Fresno, said “This CEQA exemption measure deals with very small and minor projects and having this exemption during my time as a city council member would have been helpful. It is time for the Legislature to do the right thing for cities and counties.”   In recent years, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has held up many public works projects.  AB 890 would create a statutory exemption from CEQA for roadway improvements within existing road boundaries. This measure applies to projects like guardrails, minor drainage improvements, traffic signal modifications, and minor realignments. Olsen introduced AB 890 at the request of Tuolumne County. AB 890 is also co-authored by Senator Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto.  AB 890 now heads to the Senate for consideration. To watch video of the Assembly floor proceedings on AB 890 click here. Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, represents the 25th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Angels Camp, Bridgeport, Chowchilla, Hughson, Mammoth Lakes, Mariposa, Modesto, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Riverbank, Sonora, and Waterford.