California’s legislative year in review: Progress, setbacks and future opportunities

A review of California's 2024 legislative successes and challenges.

The 2024 California legislative session demonstrated the state's continued commitment to environmental sustainability and green building practices. With several notable legislative victories and a few challenges, California remains at the forefront of sustainable development. As we prepare for the 2025 session, there are opportunities to expand the adoption of green building standards and advance key environmental initiatives.

Legislative successes

Senate Bill 312: California Environmental Quality Act-university housing exemption

SB 312 extended the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for university housing projects until 2032. This bill facilitates student housing development on university campuses while maintaining environmental standards, including a requirement for LEED Platinum certification within 18 months of occupancy. We supported the bill with a letter of support in January 2024 and closely monitored its progress. While it addresses only a small part of California's housing challenges, it offers a path for environmentally responsible development in higher education.

Senate Bill 1182: Master plan for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient schools

SB 1182 directs the state's Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to create a master plan for healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient schools by 2026, focusing on decarbonizing public schools and promoting climate resilience. By establishing benchmarks for sustainability and ensuring that investments align with California's climate goals, the bill aims to create a framework for improving school infrastructure. We worked closely with legislative aides and the legislative director in Sen. Lena Gonzalez's office, providing letters of support and signing a coalition letter led by UndauntedK12. Moving forward, there is an opportunity to engage with the development of this master plan to ensure that green building practices are integrated.

Assembly Bill 3265: CEQA streamlining for media campus projects

AB 3265 streamlines the judicial review process for media campus projects in Los Angeles County, expediting court proceedings for projects that meet specific environmental and economic benchmarks. While it does not introduce new standards, it ensures compliance with existing laws, including LEED Gold certification, a 15% reduction in vehicle miles traveled and net zero additional GHG emissions. Projects benefit from the expedited process only if these benchmarks are met. Our team communicated with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan's office about LEED certification and has been monitoring the bill. Although AB 3265 focuses on a specific sector, it aligns with California's efforts to balance development and environmental protection.

Setbacks and challenges

While the 2024 session saw important legislative successes, some bills faced challenges and will not move forward. However, the ideas they addressed still offer opportunities for future legislative initiatives.

Senate Bill 1054: Natural gas customer credit

Initially introduced as a grant initiative for reducing climate pollution in residential homes, SB 1054 was significantly amended and repurposed into a bill focused on directing natural gas credits to residential customers. The original focus on decarbonizing homes through the reduction of GHG emissions was lost in the legislative process, and the bill ultimately stalled in committee.

Senate Bill 308: Net zero greenhouse gas emissions goal

SB 308 aimed to provide a roadmap for achieving net zero GHG emissions economy wide in California by 2045, a commitment the state has already made. The bill required the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations for carbon dioxide removal, including carbon capture and sequestration technologies, as part of a broader strategy to remove 100% of the state's emissions by 2045. Despite its importance, the bill stalled in committee, reflecting the challenges of advancing specific climate solutions, such as carbon capture, utilization and storage, within an already ambitious emissions reduction framework.

Opportunities for 2025

Senate Bill 1227: Downtown revitalization in San Francisco

Though SB 1227 was held in committee, it remains a significant opportunity for future urban sustainability efforts. The bill aimed to streamline CEQA requirements for development projects in San Francisco's downtown revitalization zone, focusing on high environmental standards such as LEED Platinum certification and offering tax incentives for housing projects. While it did not pass, SB 1227 opens the door for similar initiatives in 2025 to promote sustainable growth in urban areas across the state, balancing economic development with environmental responsibility.

Assembly Bill 247: K-12 school and community college facilities modernization bond

AB 247, which passed on July 3, represents an opportunity for sustainable development in educational infrastructure. The $10 billion bond funds critical improvements in K-12 schools and community colleges, addressing needs such as seismic retrofitting, lead remediation and broadband enhancements. While the bond itself does not directly fund LEED certification or high-performance building upgrades, schools can still pursue LEED and other green building certifications alongside these infrastructure projects. Incorporating sustainable practices such as energy-efficient systems and water conservation technologies can further improve the environmental performance of these schools, even if the bond primarily supports core infrastructure needs.

Final thoughts

The 2024 legislative session highlighted continued efforts in promoting sustainable building practices and environmental stewardship. The successes of SB 312, AB 247 and SB 1182 reflect California's ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into sectors including education, housing and infrastructure. However, the challenges faced by SB 1054 and SB 308 underscore the need for continued advocacy and refinement of climate-focused policies.

As we move into the 2025 session, there is potential to build on this year's efforts. New legislation can streamline green building processes, address housing shortages and advance climate resilience, positioning California to further strengthen its role in environmental innovation.

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