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    AB-571
    Energy & Environment

    California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Exempts the Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery project from environmental review requirements until 2030.
    • Establishes Orange County's first veterans cemetery on 200 acres of public land.
    • Requires the cemetery project to maintain lower environmental impact than previously approved plans.
    • Takes immediate effect to expedite construction of the veterans cemetery.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's legislation exempts the planned Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery in Orange County from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements through 2030, aiming to expedite construction of a facility serving the state's largest county without a veterans cemetery. The exemption applies only if the cemetery constitutes a less intensive land use than analyzed in a 2005 environmental impact report and its impacts were evaluated in a 2024 addendum to that report.

    The bill responds to formal resolutions from Orange County and all 34 of its cities supporting the cemetery's development at Gypsum Canyon, where the county has deeded 200 acres to the Orange County Cemetery District. According to the bill's findings, Orange County houses over 90,000 veterans and multiple military bases, yet lacks a dedicated veterans cemetery despite multiple legislative measures since 2014 aimed at establishing one. The Veterans Alliance of Orange County, representing various veterans organizations, has endorsed the project.

    The legislation includes an urgency clause for immediate effect upon passage, citing the pressing need to provide burial grounds for county veterans. While local agencies must determine whether activities qualify for the CEQA exemption, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required, as agencies maintain authority to levy fees covering associated costs. The Orange County Board of Supervisors, Cemetery District, and Department of Veterans Affairs continue collaborating on development and operational planning for the facility.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 571 Quirk-Silva Third Reading Urgency
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Military And Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Military And Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 21 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 5
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Bob ArchuletaD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Avelino ValenciaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Michelle RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Sharon Quirk-Silva
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Cottie Petrie-Norris
    Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
    California State Assembly Member
    Blanca Pacheco
    Blanca PachecoD
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Dixon
    Diane DixonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Laurie Davies
    Laurie DaviesR
    California State Assembly Member
    Steven Choi
    Steven ChoiR
    California State Senator
    Phillip Chen
    Phillip ChenR
    California State Assembly Member
    Bob Archuleta
    Bob ArchuletaD
    California State Senator
    Tri Ta
    Tri TaR
    California State Assembly Member
    Avelino Valencia
    Avelino ValenciaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Michelle Rodriguez
    Michelle RodriguezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Shannon Grove
    Shannon GroveR
    California State Senator
    Kate Sanchez
    Kate SanchezR
    California State Assembly Member
    Tom Umberg
    Tom UmbergD
    California State Senator
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/19/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 14, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5005PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Exempts the Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery project from environmental review requirements until 2030.
    • Establishes Orange County's first veterans cemetery on 200 acres of public land.
    • Requires the cemetery project to maintain lower environmental impact than previously approved plans.
    • Takes immediate effect to expedite construction of the veterans cemetery.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Sharon Quirk-Silva
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Cottie Petrie-Norris
    Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
    California State Assembly Member
    Blanca Pacheco
    Blanca PachecoD
    California State Assembly Member
    Diane Dixon
    Diane DixonR
    California State Assembly Member
    Laurie Davies
    Laurie DaviesR
    California State Assembly Member
    Steven Choi
    Steven ChoiR
    California State Senator
    Phillip Chen
    Phillip ChenR
    California State Assembly Member
    Bob Archuleta
    Bob ArchuletaD
    California State Senator
    Tri Ta
    Tri TaR
    California State Assembly Member
    Avelino Valencia
    Avelino ValenciaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Michelle Rodriguez
    Michelle RodriguezD
    California State Assembly Member
    Shannon Grove
    Shannon GroveR
    California State Senator
    Kate Sanchez
    Kate SanchezR
    California State Assembly Member
    Tom Umberg
    Tom UmbergD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's legislation exempts the planned Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery in Orange County from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements through 2030, aiming to expedite construction of a facility serving the state's largest county without a veterans cemetery. The exemption applies only if the cemetery constitutes a less intensive land use than analyzed in a 2005 environmental impact report and its impacts were evaluated in a 2024 addendum to that report.

    The bill responds to formal resolutions from Orange County and all 34 of its cities supporting the cemetery's development at Gypsum Canyon, where the county has deeded 200 acres to the Orange County Cemetery District. According to the bill's findings, Orange County houses over 90,000 veterans and multiple military bases, yet lacks a dedicated veterans cemetery despite multiple legislative measures since 2014 aimed at establishing one. The Veterans Alliance of Orange County, representing various veterans organizations, has endorsed the project.

    The legislation includes an urgency clause for immediate effect upon passage, citing the pressing need to provide burial grounds for county veterans. While local agencies must determine whether activities qualify for the CEQA exemption, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required, as agencies maintain authority to levy fees covering associated costs. The Orange County Board of Supervisors, Cemetery District, and Department of Veterans Affairs continue collaborating on development and operational planning for the facility.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/19/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 571 Quirk-Silva Third Reading Urgency
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Military And Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Military And Veterans Affairs Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Military and Veterans Affairs]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 14, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5005PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 21 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 5
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sharon Quirk-SilvaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Phillip ChenR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Bob ArchuletaD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tom UmbergD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laurie DaviesR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Avelino ValenciaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Michelle RodriguezD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member