Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, in collaboration with the Bay Area Council, said Wednesday that Assembly Bill 961 (AB 961)—a key piece of legislation they helped champion—has been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill extends the California Land Reuse and Revitalization Act (CLRRA), which Cox Castle attorneys have relied on for more than two decades to help clients manage environmental risks associated with the redevelopment of brownfield sites.

The extension allows developers, public agencies, and communities to continue to rely on CLRRA’s framework for liability relief, regulatory coordination and cost recovery. Cox Castle and the Bay Area Council played instrumental roles in securing the bill’s passage and ensuring continued support for sustainable land reuse in California.

Cox Castle attorneys played a central role in the original drafting and adoption of CLRRA in 2004 and have since remained at the forefront of its application. “AB 961 preserves a proven and effective pathway for safe, sustainable land reuse, ensuring it remains accessible to developers, communities and environmental stakeholders across California,” said Robert Doty, San Francisco-based partner at Cox Castle. “We’re proud to have worked alongside the Bay Area Council to champion this important legislation.”