Streamlines approvals to build essential projects faster and make California more affordable
The Problem
California’s cost of living is out of control. Our outdated system for approving essential projects like housing, water, clean energy, roads, schools and hospitals is too slow, too bureaucratic and too costly—and it’s driving up the cost of living for all of us.
- $75,000+ added to every new home, which drives up rents and mortgages.
- Billions added in taxpayer and consumer costs for hospitals, roads and clean energy projects.
- Delayed progress on critical environmental projects to reduce pollution, prevent wildfires and cut emissions.
The Solution
Prop 45 cuts red tape and unnecessary delays so California can build the essential infrastructure we need faster, lower our cost of living and improve our quality of life.
Including:- Clean water infrastructure
- Clean Energy
- Housing
- Roads, bridges, and transit
- Hospitals and health care facilities
- Schools and educational facilities
- Wildfire prevention
- Broadband infrastructure
Prop 45 will:
Reduce the cost of living
Accelerate the essential infrastructure California needs
Protect taxpayers by keeping public projects on time and on budget
Create good-paying jobs and strengthen our economy
Protect local control and community input
Protect California's strong environmental, worker and tribal cultural protections
Prop 45 speeds up approvals for the projects Californians rely on most:
Clean drinking water and supply projects
Hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities
Roads, bridges, transit and other transportation infrastructure
Wildfire prevention and resilience projects
Single and multi-family homes, senior and student housing
Clean energy generation, transmission and storage
Broadband and telecommunications infrastructure
Schools, classrooms and educational facilities
Download Fact Sheet
Every year of delay means Californians wait longer and pay more for the essential projects our communities need most.
It’s time to cut red tape, protect our environment and build projects that make life more affordable for everyone.
Join the Coalition
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Prop 45 in the News
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YES on Prop 45
No on 45 Campaign Ad Spreads Lies, Lies, and More Lies
September 25, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Data centers and industrial warehouses are not eligible under any of Prop 45’s eight essential project categories, which focus on the housing and essential infrastructure...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
ICYMI: New 11-Year Study Finds CEQA Litigation Increasingly Tying Up Housing and Essential Infrastructure, with Housing the No. 1 Target
September 24, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com A comprehensive Holland & Knight review of nearly 500 CEQA appellate decisions finds approved housing and infrastructure can remain stalled for years — even when...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Prop 45 Curbs CEQA Abuses That Left Homeless Veterans Waiting Nine Years for Affordable Housing and Services
September 23, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Liberty Lane was a 100% affordable housing project designed to provide stable homes for military veterans with few alternatives A not-in-my-backyard objection delayed the project...Read More -
Thousand Oaks Acorn
Prop. 45 would test local development bottleneck
September 25, 2026Political leaders on both sides of California’s political spectrum have for years argued the “landmark” California Environmental Quality Act has become a well-intentioned mess that delays and halts necessary projects. Each year,...Read More -
Beverly Hills Standard
Beverly Hills Chamber Backs Prop. 45 Approval Overhaul
September 24, 2026By Camille Harcourt The Chamber says California’s approval process drives up clean energy costs, backing a November ballot measure that would change environmental review and legal challenges for qualifying projects....Read More -
The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
Vote Yes on Proposition 45: A Vote for Jobs and Innovation
September 23, 2026Political leaders on both sides of California’s political spectrum have for years argued the “landmark” California Environmental Quality Act has become a well-intentioned mess that delays and halts necessary projects. Each year,...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Prop 45 Curbs CEQA Abuses Like the One that Added $88 Million to a UC Berkeley Student Housing Project
September 19, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com A subjective claim with no environmental basis added $88 million in costs to student housing at a campus that already houses the smallest share of...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
ICYMI: San Diego Union Tribune Editorial Board Endorses Prop 45, Calls Its Passage a “Rare Victory for Common Sense”
September 16, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Editorial board says Prop 45 would make California’s approval process “fairer, lessexpensive and considerably more predictable” while preserving California’snation-leading environmental protections, local authority, and public...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
ICYMI: 11 Southern California Newspapers Endorse Prop 45 to Lower Costs and Fix California’s Broken Permitting Process
September 14, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Editorial board calls Prop 45 is a “sensible and fair-minded” fix for California’s broken permitting process that’s driving up the cost of housing and infrastructure...Read More -
Bay Area News Group
Opinion: Vote ‘yes.’ Prop. 45 changes construction timelines, not our standards
September 12, 2026Political leaders on both sides of California’s political spectrum have for years argued the “landmark” California Environmental Quality Act has become a well-intentioned mess that delays and halts necessary projects. Each year,...Read More -
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Endorsement: Yes on Prop. 45 to reform CEQA, limit state dysfunction
September 11, 2026Political leaders on both sides of California’s political spectrum have for years argued the “landmark” California Environmental Quality Act has become a well-intentioned mess that delays and halts necessary projects. Each year,...Read More -
Southern California New Group
Endorsement: Yes on Prop. 45 to reform CEQA
September 9, 2026Political leaders on both sides of California’s political spectrum have for years argued the “landmark” California Environmental Quality Act has become a well-intentioned mess that delays and halts necessary projects. Each year,...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
160+ Organizations Across California Unite Behind Prop 45 to Lower Costs and Build the Essential Projects Californians Need
September 9, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com The rapidly growing coalition of civil rights leaders, healthcare providers, affordable housing advocates, clean energy builders, water providers, agricultural groups, and business organizations unites behind...Read More -
CBS News
Proposition 45 would overhaul parts of California’s environmental review process
September 8, 2026By Darrielle Fair California voters will decide in November whether to change how the state reviews the environmental impacts of certain major projects. Proposition 45 would create new, expedited procedures...Read More -
Beyond Green Jim Crow
After 50 Years, California Voters Have a Chance to Fix CEQA
September 8, 2026When CEQA was signed into law by Governor Reagan in 1970, the Vietnam War was raging and the Beatles were still together. More than 50 years later, California has enacted...Read More -
The Bakersfield Californian Editorial Board
Our View: Vote YES on Proposition 45: CEQA is a mess; doing nothing would be worse
September 5, 2026Proposition 45 on the November ballot says more about people being fed up with a law than about their belief that they can fix it.Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Endorses Prop 45 to Accelerate Clean Energy Development & Lower Cost of Living for Families
September 3, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Former U.S. Energy Secretary and Michigan Governor backs measure Sacramento, CA — Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and two-term Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm announced her support...Read More -
The Orange County Register
Housing for Me, Not for Thee: Labor Edition
September 2, 2026Hypocrisy alert! As it fights a modest ballot measure that would make it easier to build desperately-needed housing and other essential projects in California, one of the state’s most powerful...Read More -
The Valley Business Journal
Why Prop 45 Is Good for Menifee and Surrounding Region
August 31, 2026By Katie Luna Menifee is one of California’s fastest-growing cities, and with that growth comes a steady need for new homes, roads, transportation infrastructure, schools, water infrastructure, and healthcare facilities. How...Read More -
Southern California News Group
California’s Proposition 45 puts a ‘shot clock’ on lengthy environmental reviews, developers say
August 28, 2026By Charlie Borla Proposition 45 would streamline a broken regulatory review process and create a path forward to directly address housing affordability in Orange County, developers and business advocates said at...Read More -
CalChamber
The Three Lies Prop 45 Opponents Keep Telling and Telling
August 20, 2026By Jennifer Barrera When our coalition drafted Proposition 45, a commonsense plan to modernize California’s approval process for building essential projects, we knew it would be a tough campaign. The...Read More -
Daily Journal
California’s Proposition 45 Does Not Cover Data Centers
August 19, 2026By Rachelle Chong, Law Office of Rachelle Chong, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission and California Public Utilities Commission A recent debate over California’s Proposition 45 has raised...Read More -
Southern California News Group
We don’t improve public safety by delaying public safety projects
August 1, 2026During my 36 years in the California fire service, I learned a simple truth: when it comes to public safety, delays have consequences. Time matters. It matters when someone calls...Read More -
CalMatters
How California voters can reform misused environmental law to boost needed projects
July 31, 2026By Jenna Abbott Members of the California Council for Affordable Housing spend their days trying to do something that should be simple: build homes for veterans, seniors and working families...Read More -
Hanson Bridgett LLP
Proposition 45, its Implementation, and Its Benefits to Public Agencies
July 30, 2026Clarification of Impacts of CEQA Reform on Cities and Counties Proposition 45 has raised many questions among stakeholders, including public agencies. To dispel some confusion about how the new law...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
ICYMI: New PPIC Poll Shows Three in Four Likely California Voters Support Prop 45
July 15, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@yesonprop45.com Survey finds overwhelming bipartisan support for Prop 45, with majorities across every political party, region, ethnicity and income level Sacramento, CA — A new statewide poll from...Read More -
Public Policy Institute of California
Environment a Factor in Governor’s Race, US House Races
July 15, 2026AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES TEMPER CALIFORNIANS’ GREEN LEANINGS ON CEQA, RENEWABLE ENERGY; MOST OPPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF DATA CENTERS IN THEIR AREA CONTACT: Matt Levin, Director of Digital Strategy media@ppic.org | 916-440-1124 SAN...Read More -
The Mercury News
Measure to overhaul California’s powerful environmental law draws 73% support in new poll
July 15, 2026Renters, younger voters and lower-income households show the strongest support for Proposition 45 as environmental groups warn of weakened public oversight By Paul Rogers A ballot measure that would overhaul one of...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Healthcare Leaders Unite in Support of Prop 45 to Build Essential Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare Infrastructure Faster and at Lower Costs for Patients and Communities
July 13, 2026Contact: Amelia Matier 510.207.9263 press@buildaffordableca.com Leading healthcare organizations throw their weight behind Prop 45, saying California cannot afford to keep delaying the hospitals and clinics its communities need Sacramento, CA...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
YES on Prop 45 Qualifies for November 2026 Ballot as Momentum Builds for Landmark Cost-of-Living Measure
June 17, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com Ballot measure will lower housing, energy, water, and other everyday costs, heading to voters this November with support from 125+ organizations across California Sacramento,...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
100+ Organizations Join Coalition Backing YES on Prop 45
May 5, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com Rapidly growing coalition of civil rights leaders, healthcare providers, affordable housing advocates, clean energy builders, water providers, agricultural groups, and small business organizations unites...Read More -
The Mercury News
Measure to change landmark California Environmental Quality Act has enough signatures to qualify for ballot, backers say
April 27, 2026By Paul Rogers Chamber of Commerce says deadlines will lower costs; environmental groups prepare for high-stakes fight. California voters will face a number of high-stakes races this November, including choosing...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
YES on Prop 45 Campaign Submits Nearly 1 Million Voter Signatures to Qualify for November 2026 Ballot
April 27, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com Statewide effort signals strong support for faster, more affordable essential infrastructure improvements Sacramento, CA—The campaign in support of Proposition 45 today announced it has begun submitting...Read More -
Forbes
Golden State Voters Must Back The Building An Affordable California Act
March 27, 2026By Steve Forbes For more than five decades, California has been governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It’s a law originally designed to protect the state’s natural resources....Read More -
Yale Law Review
When a Statute Loses Its Way: Fulfilling the Original Intent of the California Environmental Quality Act
December 1, 2022Rigel Robinson* The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provides for significant public input on public projects, analysis of a project’s environmental harms, and the opportunity for private actors to sue...Read More -
State Affairs
CalChamber pushes ballot measure aimed at speeding housing projects; would make ‘substantive change’ to CEQA
February 24, 2026By Emily Hamann The head of the California Chamber of Commerce gave details about the group’s ballot initiative to reform California’s environmental review law. CalChamber CEO Jennifer Barrera spoke about...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Clean Energy Leaders Unite Behind YES on Prop 45
March 26, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com Broad coalition says measure will accelerate clean energy projects statewide, lower costs, and help California meet climate goals Sacramento, CA—A broad coalition of clean...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks Endorses ‘Building an Affordable California’ Act
February 24, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com Measure would reduce California’s high cost of living by cutting red tape and building housing and other essential projects faster and more affordably Sacramento, CA—Today,...Read More -
YES on Prop 45
YES on Prop 45 Hits Key 25% Signature Threshold Ahead of Schedule as Diverse Coalition Lines Up to Support Measure
February 6, 2026Contact: John Myers 916.425.7168 john.myers@calchamber.com Early momentum and broad coalition reflect strong voter support for reducing our cost of living by cutting red tape and building essential projects faster Sacramento,...Read More -
Hanson Bridgett LLP
What the Building an Affordable California Act Means, Practically
January 22, 2026On December 26, 2025, the California Chamber of Commerce received an official Title & Summary from the Attorney General’s office for the Building an Affordable California Act (referred to here as the “Affordable CA”),...Read More -
The Los Angeles Times
Californians have a rare chance to rein in CEQA and support housing
July 22, 2026Curious who‘s to blame for California’s housing crisis? Just look at who wants to kill the cure. A measure to reform the chief impediment to building homes in the state...Read More -
CalChamber
CalChamber’s CEQA Reform: Boosting California’s Economy and State Budget
December 17, 2025New analyses of the California Chamber of Commerce ballot measure to streamline and modernize the construction of essential projects find it could result in a multibillion-dollar boost to the state’s...Read More -
CalChamber
Barrera: Let’s Build an Affordable California
October 21, 2025It’s politically popular these days to talk about making the Golden State more affordable, perhaps because we can no longer ignore the impossibly high hurdles standing in the way of...Read More -
The Orange County Register
Editorial: Chamber’s CEQA measure strikes while iron is hot
October 28, 2025Anyone with $2,000 to burn can file an initiative with California’s secretary of state, but most measures never get off the ground given the costs of gathering signatures. But when...Read More -
CalMatters
Ballot measure would broaden reform of California’s key environmental law
October 23, 2025Former Gov. Jerry Brown once referred to overhauling the California Environmental Quality Act as “the Lord’s work” because, he said, it made building much-needed things — housing, transportation improvements, water storage, etc....Read More -
Los Angeles Times
California business leaders want voters to expedite environmental reviews for housing, infrastructure
October 22, 2025By Grace Toohey California voters could soon be asked to usher in a major overhaul of the state’s landmark environmental law, a proposal aimed at expediting crucial infrastructure projects, including housing...Read More -
Politico
Ballot Trail: CEQA reform
October 21, 2025The initiative aims to streamline the CEQA review process for “essential projects,” arguing that the current system is “too slow, too bureaucratic, and too costly.” The road to the November...Read More -
CalChamber
CalChamber Files “Building an Affordable California” Ballot Initiative
October 21, 2025Proposal seeks to modernize, streamline the California Environmental Quality Act (Oct. 21, 2025) Sacramento, CA – The California Chamber of Commerce today filed a request with the Office of the...Read More -
VOX
Why it’s taking LA so long to rebuild
July 15, 2025Reforming environmental rules is only a small step to rebuilding after wildfires. In the wake of the record-breaking wildfires in Los Angeles in January — some of the most expensive and...Read More -
The Los Angeles Times
CEQA is too easily weaponized to block housing and slow environmental progress
January 30, 2023Another year and lawmakers are again faced with the thorny but necessary job of reforming the California Environmental Quality Act, the landmark law that has improved countless construction projects. But...Read More