California Environmental Quality Act: local agencies: filing of notices of determination or exemption.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires, among other things, a lead agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify the completion of an environmental impact report on a project that it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the project will not have that effect. CEQA requires a local agency that approves or determines to carry out a project subject to CEQA to file a notice of determination with the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located, as provided. CEQA authorizes a local agency that determines that a project is not subject to CEQA to file a notice of exemption with the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located, as provided. CEQA requires the county clerk to make the notice available for public inspection and post the notice within 24 hours of receipt in the office or on the internet website of the county clerk, as specified. CEQA requires an action or proceeding challenging an act or decision of a public agency, including a local agency, on the grounds of noncompliance with CEQA to be commenced within certain time periods, as specified. This bill would require a local agency to file a notice of determination with the State Clearinghouse in the Office of Planning and Research in addition to the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located. The bill would authorize a local agency to file a notice of exemption with the State Clearinghouse in the Office of Planning and Research in addition to the county clerk of each county in which the project will be located. The bill would require the notice, including any subsequent or amended notice, to be posted both in the office and on the internet website of the county clerk and by the Office of Planning and Research on the State Clearinghouse internet website within 24 hours of receipt. The bill would specify that the posting of the notice by the Office of Planning and Research would not affect the applicable time periods to challenge an act or decision of a local agency, as described above. By imposing duties on local agencies, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.