Proposition 45 defeated, would have streamlined landmark environmental law to speed housing, other development
California voters rejected Proposition 45, a business-backed measure that would have streamlined environmental reviews and limited legal challenges under the California Environmental Quality Act. Opponents warned the proposal could have fast-tracked polluting industries and data centers, while supporters said it would reduce delays and construction costs.
California voters defeated Proposition 45, which sought to overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act by imposing deadlines on environmental reviews and court decisions involving a wide range of development projects. The measure was trailing by 1.1 million votes when the Associated Press called the race, with opposition concentrated in Los Angeles County and the Bay Area.
Supporters, including the California Chamber of Commerce and business, real estate and clean-energy groups, argued that CEQA reviews and lawsuits have delayed housing and infrastructure projects. Opponents, including environmental organizations and labor groups, said the measure went too far and could have expedited polluting industries, logging and data center construction while imposing costly implementation demands on local governments. The measure failed despite significant spending by both campaigns.