ARTICLE 2. Declaration of State Policy and Legislative Intent [65030. - 65036.1.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 2.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65030. Section 65030.

The Legislature finds and declares that California’s land is an exhaustible resource, not just a commodity, and is essential to the economy, environment and general well-being of the people of California. It is the policy of the state and the intent of the Legislature to protect California’s land resource, to insure its preservation and use in ways which are economically and socially desirable in an attempt to improve the quality of life in California.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65030.1. Section 65030.1.

The Legislature also finds that decisions involving the future growth of the state, most of which are made and will continue to be made at the local level, should be guided by an effective planning process, including the local general plan, and should proceed within the framework of officially approved statewide goals and policies directed to land use, population growth and distribution, development, open space, resource preservation and utilization, air and water quality, and other related physical, social and economic development factors.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65030.2. Section 65030.2.

It is further the policy of the state and the intent of the Legislature that land use decisions be made with full knowledge of their economic and fiscal implications, giving consideration to short-term costs and benefits, and their relationship to long-term environmental impact as well as long-term costs and benefits.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65031. Section 65031.

The Legislature further finds and declares that recommendation, continuous evaluation and execution of statewide environmental goals, policies and plans are included within the scope of the executive functions of the Governor and responsibility for assuring orderly administration of this process within state government should be assigned to a governmental unit reporting directly to the Governor.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65032. Section 65032.

The Legislature further finds and declares that analysis of the impact of individual programs on the achievement of statewide environmental goals and the necessity of allocating fiscal and other resources of the state among competing programs and needs requires integration of the planning and executive budget functions within state government.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65033. Section 65033.

The Legislature recognizes the importance of public participation at every level of the planning process. It is therefore the policy of the state and the intent of the Legislature that each state, regional, and local agency concerned in the planning process involve the public through public hearings, informative meetings, publicity and other means available to them, and that at such hearings and other public forums, the public be afforded the opportunity to respond to clearly defined alternative objectives, policies, and actions.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65034. Section 65034.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the state planning process should be designed to influence legislative policy and actions and therefore should specifically include: (1) provisions for regular review and positive action by the Legislature on statewide environmental goals, plans and policies; and (2) clear identification of legislative actions required to carry out statewide environmental goals.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65035. Section 65035.

The Legislature finds that it is necessary to have one agency at the state level that is responsible for developing state land use policies, coordinating planning of all state agencies, and assisting and monitoring local and regional planning. The Legislature recognizes the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, in the office of the Governor, as the most appropriate state agency to carry out this statewide land use planning function. It is not the intent of the Legislature to vest in the office any direct operating or regulatory powers over land use, public works, or other state, regional, or local projects or programs.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65036. Section 65036.

It is the policy of the state and the intent of the Legislature to assure orderly planning for specific functions such as water development, transportation, natural resources, economic development and human resources by units of state government who exercise management responsibility for these functions. It is further the intent of the Legislature to provide, as part of the state planning process, that state functional plans proceed from common assumptions and forecasts of statewide growth and development, including those set forth in Section 21001 of the Public Resources Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65036.1. Section 65036.1.

The Legislature recognizes that the state planning process, particularly with regard to the preparation of statewide goals and policies, should incorporate the recommendations and views of an advisory council that is responsive to, and of some assistance to, the planning concerns that occur on a local and regional basis.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026