AB-961 • 2026

Hazardous materials: California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act of 2004.

Land Taxes

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Ávila Farías
Last action: 2025-10-01
Official status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 173, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify what 'special reasons' would allow government agencies to require actions from protected landowners.

California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act Extension

This law extends protections for landowners who buy or own property that has been polluted by hazardous materials until January 1, 2037.

What This Bill Does

Extends the California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act until January 1, 2037.
Allows innocent landowners, buyers of property in good faith, or owners of nearby properties to be protected from some state laws about pollution if they meet certain conditions.
Requires these people to agree to a plan for checking the site and responding to any hazardous materials found there.

Who It Names or Affects

Landowners who buy or own property that has been polluted by hazardous materials.
Government agencies responsible for managing toxic substances and water quality in California.

Terms To Know

Innocent landowner: A person who buys a piece of land without knowing it was polluted with dangerous chemicals.
Bona fide purchaser: Someone who buys property honestly, not knowing about any pollution problems on the land.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not change how these protections work for people who qualify before January 1, 2037.
It is unclear what specific conditions must be met to receive immunity from liability.

Bill History

2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 173, Statutes of 2025.
2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Approved by the Governor.
2025-09-23 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
2025-09-11 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3305.).
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2824.).
2025-09-08 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-09-05 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Ordered to third reading.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
From special consent calendar.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Ordered to special consent calendar.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 2). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.Q. and JUD.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1869.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 961, Ávila Farías.
Hazardous materials: California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act of 2004.
The California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act of 2004 provides, among other things, that an innocent landowner, bona fide purchaser, or contiguous property owner, as defined, qualifies for immunity from liability from certain state statutory and common laws for pollution conditions caused by a release or threatened release of a hazardous material if specified conditions are met, including entering into an agreement for a specified site assessment and response plan. The act prohibits the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Water Resources Control Board, and a California regional water quality control board from requiring one of those persons to take a response action under certain state laws, except as specified. Existing law repeals the act on January 1, 2027. Existing law provides that a person who qualifies for immunity under the act before January 1, 2027, shall
continue to have that immunity on and after January 1, 2027, if the person continues to be in compliance with the requirements of the former act.
This bill would extend the repeal date of the act to January 1, 2037, and would provide that a person who qualifies for immunity under the act before January 1, 2037, shall continue to have that immunity on and after January 1, 2037, if the person continues to be in compliance with the requirements of the former act.

Current Bill Text

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