AB 98 Could Dramatically Limit The Siting Of Logistics Facilities Statewide

On August 28, 2024, just three days before the deadline for the legislature to pass bills, Assemblymembers Juan Carrillo (39^th Assembly District) and Eloise Reyes (50^th Assembly District) introduced a "gut and amend" version of AB 98. As amended, AB 98 seeks to address environmental justice issues associated with the rapid expansion of warehouse uses in the state and would impose significant requirements on both the businesses that build warehouses and the local governments that approve them. Unlike the requirements of some failed predecessor bills, most of the requirements of AB 98 would apply statewide.

As passed by the State Senate and Assembly, AB 98 would prohibit local agencies from approving new or expanded "logistics uses" that do not comply with comprehensive, statewide standards, including siting criteria and design standards. Additional standards would apply within a designated "warehouse concentration region" in the Inland Empire. Further, AB 98 would