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AB 2620

California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: wireless telecommunications facility: broadband internet access projects.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Carrillo

The bill would exempt larger wireless facilities and broadband projects (not “small wireless facilities”) from CEQA review, potentially speeding deployment.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
#californiaenvironmentalqualityact #broadbandinternetaccessprojects #exemption #wirelesstelecommunicationsfacility
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2620

Summary of AB 2620 (2025-2026) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption for wireless telecommunications facility and broadband internet access projects

Purpose and intent

  • AB 2620 proposes to exempt certain infrastructure projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
  • Specifically, it would exempt from CEQA the installation of a wireless telecommunications facility or a broadband internet access project, provided the project is not a small wireless facility.
  • The bill also adds a statewide definition of terms and asserts that the exemption addresses a matter of statewide concern, applying to all cities, including charter cities.

Key provisions and changes

  1. New CEQA exemption (Public Resources Code §21080.75)

    • Defines three terms:
      • “Broadband internet access project”: a project delivering mass-market retail service (wire or radio) in California that enables data transmission to and from most internet endpoints, excluding dial-up service.
      • “Small wireless facility”: as defined by FCC’s 47 C.F.R. §1.6002(l), with potential future modifications.
      • “Wireless telecommunications facility”: equipment and network components used to provide wireless services (e.g., towers, poles, transmitters, base stations, emergency power systems).
    • Exemption scope:
      • Projects that involve the installation of a wireless telecommunications facility or a broadband internet access project are exempt from CEQA if the project is NOT a small wireless facility.
    • Practical effect:
      • Larger wireless facilities and broadband projects that are not “small wireless facilities” would be exempt from CEQA review, bypassing typical environmental impact analysis required under CEQA.

  2. Statewide applicability and findings

    • The bill finds that the exemption concerns a statewide matter and applies to all cities, including charter cities.
    • It explicitly states it is a statewide concern, thus not limited to municipal affairs.

  3. No local reimbursement required

    • As with many state-imposed mandates, the bill states that no state reimbursement is required for the costs of implementing the exemption, aligning with Government Code provisions on mandated costs.

  4. Nonsubstantive Conservancy language unchanged (Section 32602)

    • The bill makes nonsubstantive clarifications to the governance and purposes of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy; these changes do not alter substantive duties but accompany the CEQA exemption measure.

Who and what would be affected

  • Projects affected by the exemption:
    • Installation of wireless telecommunications facilities that are not small wireless facilities.
    • Broadband internet access projects that are not categorized as small wireless facilities.
  • Entities affected:
    • Lead agencies (cities, counties, and other CEQA lead agencies) would no longer be required to perform CEQA review for these exempt projects, potentially accelerating permitting and construction timelines.
    • Developers and operators of larger wireless infrastructure and broadband deployment projects.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Amendment history and status:
    • Introduced February 20, 2026, by Assembly Member Carrillo (co-sponsor Juan Carrillo).
    • Referred to committees on Natural Resources (NAT. RES.) and Communications & Conveyance (C. & C.), with amendments at the committee level.
    • As of mid-April 2026, the committee hearing process was in progress; the most recent note indicates a first hearing was set, but the hearing was canceled at the author’s request.
  • Implementation considerations:
    • If enacted, the statute would take effect upon passage and would apply to projects meeting the defined criteria, subject to any future regulatory interpretations by lead agencies.

Potential considerations for readers

  • The bill shifts CEQA review for certain mid- to large-scale wireless and broadband projects from environmental impact assessment to no CEQA review, potentially expediting deployment.
  • Critics may raise concerns about environmental protections and public participation that CEQA typically affords.
  • Supporters may emphasize faster broadband deployment and improved connectivity, especially for larger facilities and non-small wireless deployments.

If you’d like, I can provide a point-by-point comparison with current CEQA exemptions or a quick stakeholder impact matrix.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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