An act to amend Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental quality.
Summary
AB 2736 makes a narrow, non-substantive update to Section 21000 of the Public Resources Code, which contains the Legislature’s findings and declarations underlying the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill does not change CEQA’s core procedural requirements for environmental impact reports, negative declarations, or mitigated negative declarations. Instead, it revises wording in the statute to modernize language and make small stylistic edits, such as replacing gendered or outdated terms and making minor grammatical substitutions.
Because the bill is limited to the introductory findings and statement of legislative intent, its practical effect on environmental review is minimal. It preserves the existing policy framework that directs state agencies to give major consideration to preventing environmental damage while regulating activities that affect environmental quality. The measure is characterized in the digest as having no appropriation, no fiscal committee impact, and no local program effect.
Impact
AB 2736 would amend Public Resources Code Section 21000, the CEQA findings and declarations section, but would not alter the substantive duties of lead agencies or the standards for environmental review. The bill’s legal impact is confined to updating statutory language in the Legislature’s policy statement and intent language, leaving CEQA’s operative provisions unchanged. State agencies, local lead agencies, project applicants, and the public would continue to operate under the same environmental review framework.
Sentiment
The available materials suggest the bill is largely noncontroversial and technical in nature. The digest describes it as making nonsubstantive changes, and there is no recorded committee testimony or vote history indicating opposition or debate. The bill’s status as introduced and “may be heard in committee” further suggests it was in an early stage with no documented legislative controversy at the time provided.
Contention
There are no specific points of contention reflected in the provided record. Because the bill only modernizes wording in CEQA’s findings and intent section, any disagreement would likely be limited to whether such housekeeping amendments are necessary or whether they should be bundled with broader CEQA changes. No committee transcript, vote split, or stakeholder opposition is included, so no identifiable faction or argument can be attributed from the available information.
In renaming Department of Environmental Resources and defining rulemaking authority of Department of Environmental Protection, repealing provisions relating to Department of Environmental Protection and providing for Department of Environmental Services; and making editorial changes.
In renaming Department of Environmental Resources and defining rulemaking authority of Department of Environmental Protection, repealing provisions relating to Department of Environmental Protection and providing for Department of Environmental Services; and making editorial changes.