Overview

• Three Democratic senators voted against the fast-track measures and one Republican senator abstained, blocking the budget trailer bill.
• Newsom’s proposal would have restricted CEQA reviews, required the State Water Resources Control Board to drop certain objections and shortened litigation timelines for the 45-mile Delta tunnel.
• A Legislative Analyst’s Office report recommended deferring action to allow more time to assess potential oversight and equity impacts.
• The governor’s office said it had letters of support from 28 bipartisan legislators and groups like the State Building and Construction Trades Council and expressed disappointment at the outcome.
• With the fast-track approach off the table, the Delta Conveyance Project must now advance through the regular legislative process before construction can begin around 2030.