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

Assembly Member Tangipa's proposal to exempt certain emergency egress projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements aims to expedite fire safety improvements in vulnerable subdivisions. The exemption would apply to public agency projects creating secondary evacuation routes in residential developments of over 30 units, provided they meet specific environmental and safety criteria.

The bill establishes detailed conditions for qualifying projects, requiring them to be located in designated high or very high fire hazard severity zones and receive a recommendation from the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Projects must avoid impacts to wetlands, riparian areas, protected species, and cultural resources. Public agencies must consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife during development and ensure professional oversight during any substantial tree removal. The egress routes must be scaled appropriately to the subdivision's population and remain publicly accessible.

Before granting an exemption, lead agencies must hold public meetings to gather community input and publish notices in local newspapers. Agencies must file exemption notices with both the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and county clerks, demonstrating their ability to secure necessary funding and approvals within one year. The exemption provisions would expire on January 1, 2032, allowing for evaluation of their effectiveness.