Bill Text: CA AB543 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: California Environmental Quality Act: translation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2014-09-25 - Vetoed by Governor. [AB543 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB543-Enrolled.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 543	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 21, 2014
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 25, 2014
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 24, 2014
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 24, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 6, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 22, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 8, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Campos

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to add Section 21083.02 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to environmental quality.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 543, Campos. California Environmental Quality Act: translation.

   Existing law, the California Environmental Quality Act, referred
to as CEQA, requires a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause
to be prepared, and certify the completion of, an environmental
impact report 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 requires a lead agency to provide and post
specified notices. CEQA requires the Office of Planning and Research
to prepare and develop guidelines for the implementation of CEQA and
the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to certify and adopt
those guidelines.
   This bill would require the office, on or before July 1, 2016, to
prepare and develop recommended amendments to the guidelines and the
secretary, on or before January 1, 2017, to certify and adopt those
amendments to the guidelines to establish criteria for a lead agency
to assess the need for translating those notices into non-English
languages, as specified. By requiring a lead agency to consider the
criteria for translating those notices, this 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.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21083.02 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   21083.02.  On or before July 1, 2016, the Office of Planning and
Research shall prepare, develop, and transmit to the Secretary of the
Natural Resources Agency recommended amendments to the guidelines to
establish criteria for a lead agency to assess the need for
translating notices required pursuant to Sections 21083.9, 21092,
21108, and 21152 into non-English languages for projects considered
pursuant to this division and requirements for posting these notices
in non-English languages. The secretary shall certify and adopt those
amendments on or before January 1, 2017.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a
local agency or school district has the authority to levy service
charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or
level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section
17556 of the Government Code.