Last month it was reported that California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg would be introducing legislation to help speed up the environmental review process for the Downtown Sacramento Arena. Steinberg has been a staunch ally in the fight to keep the Kings in Sacramento, and he was a big part of the delegation that went to New York with Mayor Johnson to make Sacramento's case to the NBA Board of Governors.
Last night, Steinberg's bill overwhelmingly passed both houses of Legislature. The Assembly approved it 55-6 and the Senate approved it 32-5. The bill now awaits Gov. Brown's final signature and approval before becoming law.
Per the Bee:
The bill will speed the judicial process for handling any environmental lawsuits brought against the planned $448 million arena the city and the Kings plan to build in Downtown Plaza. It also limits the courts' ability to stop construction of the project if a lawsuit is filed, and bolsters the city's ability to use eminent domain, if needed, to purchase the Macy's men's store downtown to make room for the arena. Macy's plans to consolidate its downtown retail at the women's store a block away.
The bill passed after several changes made during the past week. Steinberg feels confident that the Governor will approve the bill.
This is yet another significant milestone in Sacramento's path towards a new arena.