AB-803
Energy & Environment

Urban forestry: school greening.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands California's urban forestry program to include school greening projects that reduce ambient heat and improve student learning.
  • Requires a statewide plan to increase urban tree canopy by 10% by 2035, prioritizing disadvantaged communities.
  • Authorizes grants for school and community tree projects with up to 90% funding and advance payments for disadvantaged areas.
  • Mandates technical assistance to schools for creating tree-shaded natural grounds that support student health and learning.

Summary

Assembly Member Garcia's urban forestry legislation expands California's Urban Forestry Act to incorporate school greening initiatives and enhance tree canopy coverage in urban areas. The bill adds school grounds improvement as an authorized use of urban forestry funds, requiring tree-shaded, natural spaces that reduce ambient temperatures and support student wellbeing.

The legislation directs the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop a statewide strategic plan targeting a 10-percent increase in urban tree canopy by 2035, with priority given to disadvantaged and low-income communities. The department must submit this plan to the Legislature by June 30, 2026. The plan will establish regional canopy targets, outline maintenance strategies, and address challenges like climate change and limited water resources.

The bill modifies the department's grant-making authority to include school greening projects that optimize tree coverage and nature-based learning environments. It permits advance payments up to 25 percent for nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged communities and authorizes negotiated indirect cost agreements for state and federal funding. Technical assistance provisions now encompass guidance on creating tree-shaded school grounds and using urban forests to promote community climate resilience.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 803 Garcia Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Robert Garcia
Robert GarciaD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 7, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6017PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands California's urban forestry program to include school greening projects that reduce ambient heat and improve student learning.
  • Requires a statewide plan to increase urban tree canopy by 10% by 2035, prioritizing disadvantaged communities.
  • Authorizes grants for school and community tree projects with up to 90% funding and advance payments for disadvantaged areas.
  • Mandates technical assistance to schools for creating tree-shaded natural grounds that support student health and learning.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Robert Garcia
Robert GarciaD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Garcia's urban forestry legislation expands California's Urban Forestry Act to incorporate school greening initiatives and enhance tree canopy coverage in urban areas. The bill adds school grounds improvement as an authorized use of urban forestry funds, requiring tree-shaded, natural spaces that reduce ambient temperatures and support student wellbeing.

The legislation directs the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop a statewide strategic plan targeting a 10-percent increase in urban tree canopy by 2035, with priority given to disadvantaged and low-income communities. The department must submit this plan to the Legislature by June 30, 2026. The plan will establish regional canopy targets, outline maintenance strategies, and address challenges like climate change and limited water resources.

The bill modifies the department's grant-making authority to include school greening projects that optimize tree coverage and nature-based learning environments. It permits advance payments up to 25 percent for nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged communities and authorizes negotiated indirect cost agreements for state and federal funding. Technical assistance provisions now encompass guidance on creating tree-shaded school grounds and using urban forests to promote community climate resilience.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 803 Garcia Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 7, 2025
PASS
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
6017PASS

Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 8 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member