Focus
Trump administration proposes loosening protections for endangered species
The Hill – April 16
The Trump administration last Wednesday proposed to loosen federal protections for endangered species. A draft rule from the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would repeal the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The administration said that it is specifically targeting the part of the definition that “includes habitat modification,” arguing it “runs contrary” to the best interpretation of the ESA. Environmental advocates said the rule would ultimately allow for more harm to come to endangered species.
News
Bill to reform CEQA clears first legislative hurdle
KQED – April 22
On Monday, the State Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee approved AB 609, introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Berkeley). AB 609 would create a new categorical exemption under CEQA for qualifying urban infill housing development projects on sites no more than 20 acres, subject to specified requirements.
California court clarifies CEQA tribal consultation duties in first published AB 52 decision
Allen Matkins – April 10
On March 14, 2025, the California Court of Appeal for the First District issued the first published opinion interpreting Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), the law governing tribal consultation procedures under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In Koi Nation of Northern California v. City of Clearlake, the court held that a city’s failure to engage in “meaningful” consultation with a California Native American tribe violated AB 52, resulting in the invalidation of project approvals for a hotel and roadway development. The ruling illustrates the expectations placed on lead agencies and developers with respect to documenting and conducting tribal consultation under CEQA.
YIMBY files lawsuit against Cupertino, claims city violated “builder’s remedy” law
SiliconValley – April 11
A pro-housing group has filed two lawsuits against Cupertino, claiming the city violated state laws by denying multiple housing proposals that would have added dozens of new homes. The organization alleges that two preliminary proposals submitted under the builder’s remedy provision faced numerous roadblocks in their application process. The goal of the lawsuit is to compel Cupertino to process the two applications, ensuring that the city follows the California Housing Accountability Act, and fulfills the minimum number of homes required by the state, according to a press release from the plaintiff.
Measure ULA is reducing apartment development in the city of L.A., report says
Los Angeles Times – April 11
Los Angeles’ “mansion tax” that funds affordable housing has probably led to a drop-off in overall apartment construction, potentially worsening the city’s housing situation, according to a new report from researchers at UCLA and Rand. The study focuses on Measure ULA — a voter-approved law that took effect in spring 2023. Though dubbed the mansion tax, the measure applies a 4% levy to nearly all property sales in the city over about $5 million, including apartment buildings, mini-malls, and warehouses, and a 5.5% charge to sales above about $10 million. ULA supporters have pointed to rising building costs to argue the measure isn’t having the negative effect its real estate industry critics claim.
How bad is California’s housing crisis? A first-in-the-nation bill would let students live in cars.
Politico – April 13
A progressive Democratic lawmaker is seeking a simple but jarring remedy of last resort for California’s college students navigating the state’s housing crisis: Let them sleep in their cars. Assemblymember Corey Jackson, a Southern California Democrat who has a doctorate in social work, said lawmakers can build long-term solutions while offering an immediate stopgap for a “worst case scenario.” His proposal, which cleared its first committee last month, would require community colleges and the California State University system to plan for an overnight parking program for students.
Del Mar Fairgrounds 2050: State institution to craft new plan for 324 acres of land
The San Diego Union-Tribune – April 11
Talked about at a high level for years, the future of the Del Mar Fairgrounds may come into focus over the next two years with the state institution that owns the land, the 22nd District Agricultural Association, now laying the groundwork to complete a new master plan for its expansive real estate by 2027. As it stands, the future of the fairgrounds is intentionally undefined, although everything from hotels and housing — subsidized housing in particular — to shops, restaurants, and office space could make its way into the master plan.
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