SB 1087 Advances Collaborative Effort to Modernize California’s Sustainable Communities Strategies Program

SCAG, in partnership with California’s other largest metropolitan planning organizations, has played a leading role in the development of Senate Bill (SB) 1087 (Cabaldon). This legislation seeks to modernize SB 375, the landmark 2008 law that established California’s sustainable communities strategy (SCS) program.

Since introduction, SB 1087 was presented at seven public legislative meetings before advancing to the Assembly floor for final consideration. The Assembly passed SB 1087 on Sunday, Aug. 30, followed by final Senate passage on Monday, Aug. 31. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk, where he has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the measure.

SB 375 has guided long-range regional planning efforts across California for more than 15 years, helping align transportation, housing, and environmental goals. SB 1087 builds on that foundation by updating the program to address current statewide priorities while improving efficiency, transparency, and implementation.

Consistent with SCAG’s Adopted Principles

SB 1087 aligns with the goals and principles adopted by the SCAG Regional Council regarding SB 375 reform.

The bill includes provisions intended to:

• Improve transparency and accountability in the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) guideline development and target-setting processes.
• Reaffirm existing laws that protect local control over land-use decisions and housing elements.
• Align housing and climate objectives more closely within the Sustainable Communities Strategies framework.
• Streamline planning processes so regional agencies can dedicate more resources to local priorities.

Supporting Local Governments and Regional Planning

Thoughtful reforms to SB 375 will provide long-term benefits for local governments and regional planning throughout California.

Among the proposed changes, SB 1087 would shift the SCS update cycle from every four years to every eight years. This change would free significant planning resources that could be redirected toward implementation and local projects. SCAG’s most recent SCS planning effort in 2024 cost approximately $20 million to develop.

The bill sets timelines for CARB’s SCS review process. For example, the review of SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 took 309 days and resulted in no changes to projects, strategies, or planned investments.

SCAG recognizes concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the legislation and takes those concerns seriously. Following additional review, SCAG staff did not find provisions in the current bill language that would cause the impacts described by some opponents of the measure.

Collaborative Statewide Engagement

SCAG values an open and deliberative legislative process. Developing SB 1087 has involved years of stakeholder engagement and collaboration among SCAG, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and San Diego Association of Governments.

The process included extensive discussions with a broad group of stakeholders, including the home building industry, climate and environmental organizations, organized labor, and SCAG region transportation agencies, among others.

The legislation reflects hundreds of hours of technical analysis, negotiations, stakeholder discussions, and policy development. During the bill’s evolution, SCAG and partners engaged with many stakeholders and member agencies for their feedback.

Within SCAG, ongoing discussions and guidance from the Executive/Administration Committee, Legislative/Communication and Membership Committee, and Regional Council have informed the legislation’s development.

Looking Ahead

As currently drafted, SB 1087 would strengthen SCS implementation by balancing housing and climate goals, promoting greater transparency at CARB, and optimizing regional resources to support local projects and serve member jurisdictions.

SCAG remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders, member agencies, state partners, and policymakers to strengthen SB 375 implementation and support California’s housing, transportation, and climate goals as the legislative process continues.