California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: undergrounding powerlines.

Senator Valladares proposes exempting powerline undergrounding projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review requirements through new legislation that would modify the state's Public Resources Code. Under current law, such projects must undergo environmental impact assessments and potential mitigation measures before approval.

The bill establishes a categorical CEQA exemption for all projects involving the conversion of overhead power lines to underground installations. Local agencies, as lead entities, must determine whether specific projects qualify for this exemption. While the legislation creates a state-mandated local program, it specifies that local agencies and school districts can utilize existing authority to levy service charges and fees to cover associated administrative costs, eliminating the need for state reimbursement.

The measure requires a majority vote for passage and includes provisions for fiscal committee review, though it requires no direct state appropriations. Local agencies would retain responsibility for implementing and overseeing the exemption process within their jurisdictions, integrating these determinations into their existing project approval frameworks.