To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: On May 20, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 7 into law, which reenacts the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act (the Act) and extends the date of repeal to January 1, 2026. The Act requires expedited judicial review for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other legal challenges for certified Environmental Leadership Development Projects. Among other things, SB 7 includes more robust labor-related requirements and expands certification eligibility to smaller housing projects. SB 7 is an emergency statute that went into effect immediately. EXPEDITED JUDICIAL REVIEW Environmental Leadership Development Project (ELDP) certification has the potential to reduce the length of litigation by years. It limits the timeframe –to the extent feasible– for the resolution of lawsuits related to the CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and other project approvals to 270 days from the filing of record of proceedings for the project with the court. SB 7 clarifies that the 270-day timeframe includes any appeals to the court of appeal or California Supreme Court.