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SB 1145

California Environmental Quality Act: surplus land disposal requirements: exemption.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Grayson

Exempts federal base disposal land to local reuse authorities from certain CEQA and surplus land rules if at least 25% of housing is affordable and a project labor agreement is in

Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
#californiaenvironmentalqualityact #exemption #surpluslanddisposalrequirements
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Bill Summary · SB 1145

Overview

SB 1145, introduced by Senator Grayson for the 2025-2026 California session, would create an exemption from certain California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and surplus land disposal requirements for land conveyed by the federal government to a local reuse authority under the federal base closure and realignment framework. It also establishes special provisions for the Concord Community Reuse Project (CNWS) to streamline CEQA review for projects within that plan area under specified conditions.

Main purpose and intent

  • Facilitate the disposition and redevelopment of former federal military base property by removing duplicative or conflicting state requirements that could hinder federal reuse and housing/economic development objectives.
  • Specifically, provide an exemption from surplus land disposal requirements and related CEQA review constraints when land is conveyed to a local reuse authority under federal base closure laws, provided certain affordability and labor conditions are met.
  • In the Concord area, ensure CEQA review documents for CNWS-related projects can satisfy CEQA requirements under defined conditions, reducing redundant analysis for projects aligned with the Concord Reuse Project Area Plan.

Key provisions and changes

  1. CEQA and surplus land disposal exemption (Government Code and CEQA-related provisions)

    • Exempts land conveyed by the federal government to a local reuse authority (under the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act; 100-526/1990 BRAC acts, or successors) from certain surplus land disposal requirements, if:
      • Before disposition, there is a disposition and development agreement (or similar agreement) ensuring that at least 25% of the residential units developed on the land will be restricted to lower-income households for a defined long-term period (affordable housing cost or rent).
      • The recipient is bound by a project labor agreement.
    • Requires these conditions to be met before disposition; the exemption applies to the land as a whole, not to individual conveyances, and a challenge to the exemption must be brought within 90 days after approval of the disposition-related agreement.
    • Local reuse authorities (if cities or counties) must include information on the development of residential units on conveyed land in their annual general plan reports.

  2. Concord Community Reuse Project (Public Resources Code)

    • Adds a new Chapter 6.8 (commencing with Section 21189.60) to Division 13 of the Public Resources Code governing the Concord CNWS area.
    • Establishes definitions related to CNWS, Concord Community Reuse Project (CRP), plan area, and project labor agreements.
    • Notwithstanding existing CEQA rules, CNWS environmental review documents (as defined) are presumptively sufficient to satisfy CEQA for projects within the plan area that meet specific conditions:
      • No expansion of the plan area boundaries.
      • No more than a 25% increase in residential units or commercial space from the 2012 CRP area plan baseline.
      • No reduction in the aggregate 25% affordability requirement.
      • Project labor agreement in place.
      • Legally binding homeless provider agreements are in place.
    • If these conditions are met, subsequent environmental reviews may omit discussion of alternatives and growth-inducing impacts; additional land-use types or locations not aligned with the CRP require further review.
    • Requires confirmatory, non-redundant review for projects that stay within the CRP framework, with tiered reliance on existing environmental documents.
    • Provides severability and clarifies no reimbursement is required for costs under the act (with standard mandates considerations).

  3. Legislative findings and fiscal notes

    • Claims special circumstances for Concord justify a targeted statute.
    • States that if the state Mandates Commission finds new costs, reimbursement rules apply per existing Government Code provisions.

Who/what would be affected

  • Local reuse authorities that receive land under federal base closure disposition processes.
  • Cities or counties acting as local reuse authorities, particularly in relation to affordable housing requirements and project labor agreements.
  • Projects located within the Concord Naval Weapons Station area covered by the Concord Reuse Project Area Plan (CRP area).
  • Agencies responsible for housing (Department of Housing and Community Development) and legislative policy committees that receive annual reports starting in 2032 (and every five years thereafter) on affordability and labor agreement status.
  • CEQA lead agencies and project applicants within CNWS plan areas may experience streamlined review if the project meets the specified criteria.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The exemption triggers upon disposition and development/related agreements for land conveyed under federal BRAC-related procedures.
  • Action challenging the exemption must be filed within 90 days after the disposition agreement approval (not after each conveyance).
  • For CNWS, the Concord-specific provisions operate on a multi-year framework:
    • CRP baseline data cited from 2012 baseline figures.
    • The CNWS plan includes long-term housing and development forecasts (e.g., 10,000 housing units with 25% affordable).
    • The CNWS-relevant environmental review rules apply to projects within the plan area with annual updates and compliance checks as applicable.
  • Start of required reporting for affordability and labor agreements under 54222.3.3 is January 1, 2032, with ongoing five-year reporting cycles.

Potential impact

  • Reduces regulatory friction for federal disposal of military base property, potentially accelerating redevelopment, housing development, and job creation in targeted areas.
  • Creates enforceable affordable housing and labor agreement requirements tied to the disposition of base property.
  • Introduces state-mmandated local program elements (costs may be addressed in mandated cost reimbursements if applicable).
  • Provides a framework for CEQA streamlining within the Concord CNWS plan area, balancing efficiency with protections via plan-consistent development and legally binding agreements.

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

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