Gov. Newsom signed into law a bill that will remake California’s environmental protection rules. Newsom says the overhaul is essential to address the state’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers scaled back a law that was vilified for its role in California’s housing shortage and homelessness crisis.

After a decade of intense debating California overhauls CEQA, its landmark environmental law with hopes of making the state more affordable to live.