Proposition 45: Environmental review changesDeadlines and narrower lawsuits for environmental review of "essential" projects
Read the full text of the measure: Official Voter Information Guide (PDF)
In plain words
CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, requires agencies to study a project's effects on the environment before approving it, and people can sue if they think the study was inadequate. For projects the measure defines as "essential," this sets deadlines (for example, 365 business days to finish a full environmental report), judges a project by the rules in place when it applied, caps comment periods, limits tribal consultation to federally recognized tribes, and narrows lawsuits so a court can stop only the part of a project that broke the rules. Applicants can choose the new or the old process. (lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes (for "essential" projects that choose it) |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline to finish a full environmental report | No maximum | 365 business days; applicant can request a hearing and sue if missed |
| Rules a project is judged by | Can change during review | Rules in place when the application was filed |
| Public comment periods | Minimum length set | Also a maximum length |
| If a court finds a problem | Can halt the whole project | Can halt only the part that broke the rules |
| Tribal consultation | Includes California tribes | Federally recognized tribes only |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (lao.ca.gov (Legislative Analyst's Office) )
Biggest change
- Covers most housing, transportation, water, health, wildfire mitigation, school building, internet access and clean energy projects; sets deadlines for agencies and lawsuits and limits the evidence courts may consider and the relief they can order. source: sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide)
Who it affects most: Builders and agencies behind housing, transportation, water and health projects, and residents and groups who comment on or sue over such projects.
Cost to the state: Initial state and local costs, including courts, likely in the high tens of millions of dollars a year, possibly over $100 million, partly offset by fees; longer-term effects uncertain (Legislative Analyst).
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Essential projects can use a faster environmental review with deadlines and narrower lawsuits.
All projects keep using today's environmental review and lawsuit rules.
Our one-line summary. The official "What your vote means" statements are in the Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide, linked below.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes a state law, which lawmakers can later change. It passes with a simple majority.
- The California Chamber of Commerce placed it on the ballot, saying CEQA is outdated and fuels costly delays and lawsuits. CalMatters reports courts would have to rule on related lawsuits within 270 days. source: CalMatters
Why supporters want it
- Official argument in favor: approval for essential projects is too slow and costly; "Prop. 45 does not exempt a single project from environmental review." Signed by Ann-Louise Kuhns (California Children's Hospital Association), Jennifer Capitolo (California Water Association) and Jenna Abbott (California Council on Affordable Housing). source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- Official argument against: "Prop. 45 eliminates many of CEQA's existing protections" and reduces the public's ability to be heard. Signed by Joe Lyou (Coalition for Clean Air), Jennifer Clary (Clean Water Action) and Matt Abularach-Macias (California Environmental Voters). source: voterguide.sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
Who backs each side
- For: California Chamber of Commerce, California Building Industry Association, California Hospital Association, California Children's Hospital Association, California Primary Care Association, California Water Association, California Council for Affordable Housing, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, California LULAC, California Republican Party. Against: California Labor Federation, California Nurses Association, Sierra Club California, Clean Water Action, Coalition for Clean Air, National Wildlife Federation, Western Center on Law & Poverty, League of Women Voters of California, California Democratic Party. source: CalMatters
- Money (Secretary of State, through Oct. 6, 2026): committees in support reported $40,056,350; committees in opposition reported $18,905,427. source: sos.ca.gov (Secretary of State)
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's Official Voter Information Guide .
MODIFIES ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
YES
NO
Official title copied word for word from the Official Voter Information Guide (page 74). The title and summary are prepared by the Attorney General.
Official summary by the Attorney General (tap to open)
Amends California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to expedite environmental review for specified project categories (including most housing, transportation, water, health, wildfire mitigation, educational facility, internet access, and clean energy projects). For these types of projects, this measure: Sets deadlines for public agencies to complete environmental review and take required actions. Allows expedited review of environmental impacts, limiting public agencies’ current obligation to consider a range of feasible project alternatives to reduce environmental impacts. Establishes deadlines for filing and resolving lawsuits challenging project approvals; limits evidence courts may consider and relief courts can order.(sos.ca.gov (Official Voter Information Guide) )
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The full text of the proposed law is printed in the Official Voter Information Guide. Read it in the Official Voter Information Guide (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: Official Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (PDF)
- Official Voter Information Guide: Proposition 45
- Official arguments and rebuttals
- Legislative Analyst's analysis
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.