REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Letter of Support for AB 2231 (Ahrens): California Environmental Quality Act: Hospital Projects
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 9, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 18-8611 to approve a Legislative Advocacy Position (LAP) Policy. The LAP Policy establishes clear guidelines for advancing City goals and positions through legislative review and advocacy at the regional, State, and federal levels of government and to provide guidance for City officials who serve on regional, State, and national boards, committees, and commissions when they are asked to review public policy matters and issues.
The LAP Policy provides that, "If a Council policy relative to the legislation does not exist, the issue is politically controversial, or there is significant local interest in the issue, the proposed legislation including a recommendation to support, remain neutral, or not support the legislation is brought to Council for consideration."
In mid-April, the City received a request from Sutter Health (Sutter) to provide a letter of support for AB 2231 (Ahrens): California Environmental Quality Act: Hospital Projects. The original bill language for AB 2231, which was introduced by Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens, provided California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for two specific hospital projects located in the City of Santa Clara and the City of Emeryville.
AB 2231 was approved on April 20, 2026 by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee with amendments. AB 2231 (Attachment 1), as amended on April 22, 2026, would no longer provide CEQA exemptions, but would instead establish streamlined procedures for the administrative and judicial review of the environmental review and approvals granted for an environmental leadership hospital campus project in the City of Emeryville or in the City of Santa Clara. The measure was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for consideration. On May 11, 2026, the bill p...
Click here for full text