SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The California Assembly has approved a bill intended to fast track the construction of a possible NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
The Assembly passed SB292 on a bipartisan 59-13 vote Wednesday. Los Angeles Democratic Assembly Speaker John Perez, one of the bill's authors, says the stadium project and renovation of the city's convention center would create some 23,000 jobs.
Perez said his legislation seeks to balance the state's rigorous environmental protections against the need for jobs.
Backers say developers will build the most energy efficient stadium in the nation in exchange for expediting the environmental review process.
Critics say the bill is being rushed through in the final week of this year's legislative session to benefit developers.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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