SB 7 is Signed into Law in California – Expediting Environmental Leadership & Economic Development Projects

SANTA CLARA COUNTY – Today, Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) joined Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate and Assembly leadership, and Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins to sign a bill he co-authored, SB 7, into law.

“Built on our state’s principles of equity, economic development, resiliency, and environmental leadership, SB 7 is an investment in not only our local community here in Santa Clara County, but in communities across the state of California,” said Senator Cortese.

Cortese, who chairs the California Senate Labor Committee, says SB 7, “will provide a tremendous infusion of green jobs and energy efficient housing across the state through streamlining administrative paperwork and expediting legal challenges for sustainable, economic development projects – projects that can truly transform a community through permanent job creation, housing and affordable housing production, and environmental leadership.”

In Santa Clara County, alone, SB 7 will bring 5,700 prevailing wage construction jobs, as well as long-term onsite jobs, and 4,000 much-need housing units– 25% of which will be affordable housing. 

SB 7 reenacts the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2011 (AB 900), while also expanding the Act’s eligibility to include smaller housing projects, until January 1, 2026.

By doing so, SB 7 will streamline administrative paperwork and expedite legal challenges for sustainable, economic development projects.

“This bill deserves attention,” said Governor Gavin Newsom at today’s news conference. “This bill is about the investment in the future in the State of California. This bill is about our comeback. This bill is about our renewal. This bill is about our grit, our tenacity. This bill represents the best of California.”

“More jobs, more business, more affordable housing,” said Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins, author of SB 7, at today’s conference. “AB 900 projects are estimated to have created thousands of new high-wage construction jobs, permanent jobs, and 10,000 new housing units.”

“This is really important for our economic recovery. This is going to keep us moving”

Watch a recording of today’s Press Conference on SB 7 on the California Governor Facebook page.