SB-1008 • 2026

California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: railroad grade crossing closure.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ochoa Bogh
Last action: 2026-06-09
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the cost implications or other potential exemptions beyond railroad grade crossings.

California Environmental Quality Act: Exemption for Railroad Grade Crossing Closures

The bill creates an exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for closing railroad grade crossings that pose a safety risk, but not for high-speed rail or projects by the High-Speed Rail Authority.

What This Bill Does

Exempts the closure of railroad grade crossings from CEQA if the Public Utilities Commission finds them to be dangerous.
Doesn't apply this exemption to high-speed rail crossings or those managed by the High-Speed Rail Authority.
Requires lead agencies to file a notice about these exemptions with certain public entities.

Who It Names or Affects

People who work for the Public Utilities Commission and other lead agencies in California.
Residents near railroad grade crossings that might close due to safety concerns.

Terms To Know

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): A law that makes sure projects don't harm the environment before they start.
Public Utilities Commission: An agency that oversees public utilities like electricity, water, and railroads in California.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much it will cost to implement.
It is unclear if there are other types of projects besides railroad grade crossings that might be exempted from CEQA under similar circumstances.

Bill History

2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & E.
2026-04-30 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-04-30 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. (Ayes 36. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-04-28 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0. Page 3842.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-02 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 13.
2026-03-18 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E., U & C. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 3600.) (March 18). Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.
2026-02-25 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing March 18.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on E.Q. and E., U & C.
2026-02-10 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 12.
2026-02-09 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1008, as introduced, Ochoa Bogh.
California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: railroad grade crossing closure.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires 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 also requires a lead agency to prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the environment. CEQA exempts certain projects from its requirements and authorizes a lead agency, if it determines a certain project is exempt from CEQA, to file a notice of exemption, as provided.
This bill would exempt from CEQA the closure of a railroad grade crossing by order of the Public Utilities Commission if the commission finds the crossing to present a threat to public safety. The bill would provide that the exemption is inapplicable to any crossing for high-speed rail or any crossing for a project carried out by the High-Speed Rail Authority. The bill would require the lead agency to file the notice of exemption with specified public entities, as provided. Because the bill would impose additional duties on lead agencies with regards to the filing of the notice of exemption, this bill would impose 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.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF