Contest 14 of 14
Proposition 45
Modifies Environmental Review for Certain Projects. Initiative Statute.
Fiscal Impact
Short Term
State and local governments pay high tens of millions of dollars a year at first — potentially over $100 million — partly covered by fees.
Long Term
LAO gives no net long-term estimate — later effects could be more significant, in either direction.
Social Impact
- Environmental review under CEQA would be expedited for specified projects, including most housing, transportation, water, health, wildfire mitigation, education, internet access, and clean energy projects.
- For those projects, agencies face deadlines to complete review, consider one applicant-developed alternative instead of a range of alternatives, and meet deadlines for lawsuits challenging approvals.
- Supporters say faster approvals will lower the cost of housing, electricity, and water and create tens of thousands of jobs.
- Opponents say faster approvals will reduce public input and scrutiny of projects' effects on air, water, wildlife, and public health.
A YES vote means:
Many projects get faster environmental review, with tighter deadlines to finish reviews and limits on what courts can consider in lawsuits against projects.
A NO vote means:
Projects keep going through the current environmental review process, with the current deadlines and court rules.
Cost (Legislative Analyst): Initial costs for state and local governments, likely in the high tens of millions of dollars—potentially exceeding $100 million—annually, partly covered by fees. Uncertain, potentially more significant positive or negative longer-term fiscal effects.
Source: CA Secretary of State, Official Voter Information Guide