California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: egress route projects: fire safety.

Assembly Member Tangipa's proposal creates a temporary exemption from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for certain emergency access projects in high-risk fire zones. The exemption applies to public agency projects that establish secondary evacuation routes for subdivisions identified by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection as lacking adequate egress options.

Projects seeking exemption must meet specific environmental protection criteria, including avoiding wetlands and riparian areas, preventing harm to protected species, and preserving archaeological and cultural resources. The bill requires consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife during project development and mandates oversight by registered professional foresters during any substantial tree removal. Egress routes must be scaled to existing subdivision populations and remain publicly accessible.

Lead agencies must conduct public meetings to gather community input before determining exemption eligibility. Upon approval, agencies file notices with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and county clerks. The exemption provisions expire on January 1, 2032, requiring projects to secure necessary funding and approvals within one year of filing for exemption.