Bill Text: CA SB166 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: California Environmental Quality Act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-02-01 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB166 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB166-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 166	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Gaines

                        FEBRUARY 5, 2015

   An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to the California Environmental Quality Act.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 166, as introduced, Gaines. California Environmental Quality
Act.
   The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead
agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify
the completion of, an environmental impact report (EIR) 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 makes various legislative findings and states the intent of
the Legislature in enacting CEQA.
   This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those
provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   21000.  The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) The maintenance of a quality environment for the people of
this state now and in the future is a matter of statewide concern.
   (b) It is necessary to provide a high-quality environment that at
all times is healthful and pleasing to the senses and intellect of
man.
   (c) There is a need to understand the relationship between the
maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general
welfare of the people of the state, including their enjoyment of the
natural resources of the state.
   (d) The capacity of the environment is limited, and it is the
intent of the Legislature that the government of the state take
immediate steps to identify any critical thresholds for the health
and safety of the people of the state and take all coordinated
actions necessary to prevent  such   those 
thresholds  from  being reached.
   (e) Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the
preservation and enhancement of the environment.
   (f) The interrelationship of policies and practices in the
management of natural resources and waste disposal requires
systematic and concerted efforts by public and private interests to
enhance environmental quality and to control environmental pollution.

   (g) It is the intent of the Legislature that all agencies of the
state government  which   that  regulate
activities of private individuals, corporations, and public agencies
 which   that  are found to affect the
quality of the environment, shall regulate  such 
 those  activities so that major consideration is given to
preventing environmental damage, while providing a decent home and
satisfying living environment for every Californian.