Streamlined Environmental ReviewPublic Assistance Program

Section § 21159.9

Explanation

The Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is responsible for creating a public assistance program to effectively execute environmental planning responsibilities. This includes two main tasks: First, OPR must set up a training program to educate planners, developers, and interested parties about implementing environmental regulations. Second, OPR must create and maintain an online database to manage various environmental notices and documents, which should be accessible to the public. OPR may partner with another state agency for this task and start incorporating electronic submissions gradually with public agencies. Moreover, OPR had to report its plans and progress to the Legislature by specific dates, although this requirement is no longer active past July 1, 2023.

The Office of Planning and Research shall implement a public assistance and information program to ensure efficient and effective implementation of this division and to do both of the following:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(a) Establish a public education and training program for planners, developers, and other interested parties to assist them in implementing this division.
(b)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)
(1)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)(1) Establish and maintain a database for the collection, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of environmental documents, notices of exemption, notices of preparation, notices of determination, and notices of completion provided to the Office of Planning and Research. The database shall be available online to the public through the Internet. The Office of Planning and Research may coordinate with another state agency to host and maintain the online database.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)(2) The Office of Planning and Research may phase in the submission of electronic documents and use of the database by state and local public agencies.
(3)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)(3)
(A)Copy CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)(3)(A) Pursuant to Section 9795 of the Government Code, the Office of Planning and Research shall, no later than July 1, 2017, submit to the Legislature a report describing how it plans to implement this subdivision, and shall provide an additional report to the Legislature no later than July 1, 2019, describing the status of the implementation of this subdivision.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 21159.9(b)(3)(A)(B) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this paragraph is inoperative on July 1, 2023.
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