Holocaust memorial.

Assembly Members Gabriel and Bauer-Kahan have put forward legislation authorizing qualified nonprofit organizations to establish and maintain Holocaust memorials in California, working in partnership with the Natural Resources Agency to ensure proper oversight and preservation of these historical monuments.

The bill creates a framework for nonprofit organizations representing Holocaust victims and survivors to plan and construct memorials while establishing the Natural Resources Agency's role in the process. Qualifying nonprofits must hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and demonstrate their representation of Holocaust victims and survivors. The Agency's responsibilities include reviewing design plans, verifying compliance with accessibility requirements and environmental regulations, issuing construction permits, and conducting inspections throughout the building process.

Under the proposed system, the Natural Resources Agency maintains oversight through multiple checkpoints, from initial design review through final construction. The Agency must prepare detailed right-of-entry permits outlining work parameters, construction specifications, contractor information, insurance and bonding requirements, and inspection protocols. Once completed, memorials become part of the Agency's regular maintenance duties, ensuring their long-term preservation. While nonprofits initiate and fund the memorial projects, the Agency provides the regulatory structure and ongoing maintenance support to sustain these historical monuments.