Gov. signed Assembly Bill 1457 into law, the attorney general’s office said in a Friday press release.
AB 1457 amends SB 1000 to set a compliance deadline for local governments with disadvantaged communities in their planning areas; the law requires those governments that have not adopted an environmental justice element, or related policies, goals and objectives in other general plan elements, to do so by June 30, 2031, the release said.
The law also expands transparency and public engagement requirements so impacted communities are “meaningfully involved” in developing environmental justice elements and policies; the office said local governments must provide opportunities for public input on drafts.
Under current law, SB 1000 requires an environmental justice element only when a jurisdiction adopts two or more general plan elements at the same time; the attorney general’s office said that trigger has not worked because local governments follow different planning calendars and many have not acted.
Assemblymember (D‑Los Angeles) authored the bill and Attorney General and the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment sponsored it, the release said. Bryan said, “Disadvantaged communities in California have been waiting over a decade to see a meaningful response to the environmental hazards impacting their lives and health on a daily basis.”
Attorney General Bonta celebrated the signing and said, “California won’t stand idly by as our disadvantaged communities face significant environmental threats, including disproportionate exposure to polluted air, water, and soil.” The release noted Bonta expanded the Bureau of Environmental Justice in 2021 and has used guidance, comment letters and enforcement actions to support SB 1000 implementation.
What this means for residents: jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities must adopt environmental justice elements or comparable policies by June 30, 2031; residents should expect more public meetings and draft documents in local general‑plan processes as those jurisdictions comply.
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Isaac G. Bryan
State Assembly Member · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
Sources & methodology
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