**AB 961 Signed Into Law, Extends Key Environmental Redevelopment Framework in California**
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, in partnership with the Bay Area Council, has announced that Assembly Bill 961 (AB 961) has officially been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. This significant legislation extends the California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act (CLRRA), a longstanding legal framework that has guided the redevelopment of brownfield sites for over 20 years.
Originally enacted in 2004, CLRRA offers legal and regulatory tools for developers, public agencies, and communities to safely and efficiently transform contaminated properties into viable new uses. By extending this law, AB 961 continues to provide liability relief, facilitates regulatory coordination, and supports cost recovery efforts—critical components for encouraging sustainable redevelopment throughout California.
Cox Castle attorneys were instrumental in the development and adoption of CLRRA and have led its implementation across a wide range of projects. The firm’s legal team, in collaboration with the Bay Area Council, played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of AB 961 to ensure the framework remains an active asset for sustainable growth and environmental protection.
“AB 961 preserves a proven and effective pathway for safe, sustainable land reuse, ensuring it remains accessible to developers, communities and environmental stakeholders across California,” said Robert Doty, a San Francisco-based partner at Cox Castle. “We’re proud to have worked alongside the Bay Area Council to champion this important legislation.”
The passage of AB 961 highlights California’s continuing commitment to environmental stewardship and smart urban renewal, solidifying CLRRA’s role in shaping the state’s redevelopment landscape for years to come.
