March 30, 2026
Orange County Business Council (OCBC), opposes SB 1075 (Reyes), which would impose significant new constraints on local land use decision-making and create substantial uncertainty for businesses, infrastructure projects and economic development across California. At a high level, SB 1075 requires local governments to align land use decisions with state-approved community emissions reduction programs and environmental justice elements of general plans. In doing so, the bill limits local discretion and requires jurisdictions to prevent new or expanded uses that may contribute to air quality impacts, even when those uses are otherwise permitted under existing law. OCBC is concerned that this approach creates broad and unclear restrictions on development. The requirement to prevent uses that contribute to poor air quality is not well defined and could be interpreted in a way that restricts a wide range of projects, including industrial, manufacturing, logistics and even certain housing developments. This level of ambiguity introduces unnecessary risk and makes it difficult for businesses and local governments to plan with confidence. The bill also creates significant legal exposure by allowing individuals to challenge local land use decisions and authorizing de novo review by the Attorney General. This framework opens the door to increased litigation, project delays and the potential invalidation of approvals after significant time and resources have already been invested. The resulting uncertainty will have a chilling effect on investment and job creation, particularly in regions like Orange County that are already navigating a complex regulatory environment. Additionally, SB 1075 undermines local control by shifting land use authority away from cities and counties and toward state-driven mandates. Local governments are best positioned to balance competing priorities, including economic development, housing, and infrastructure. This bill disrupts that balance by imposing a one size fits all approach that does not account for regional differences. OCBC believes a more workable approach would provide clear, consistent standards and allow for local flexibility in implementation, rather than relying on broad mandates and expanded enforcement mechanisms. For questions, please email Amanda Walsh, Vice President of Government Affairs.
