AB-807
Energy & Environment

Conservation and mitigation bank: marine artificial reefs.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes the creation of marine artificial reefs as conservation and mitigation banks for environmental protection.
  • Requires environmental review and ongoing monitoring to ensure reefs meet designated performance standards.
  • Mandates a 1% trust fund from credit sales for long-term reef management on state lands.
  • Allows both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish and operate marine artificial reef banks.

Summary

Assembly Member Dixon's marine conservation initiative would allow artificial reefs to qualify as mitigation and conservation banks in California, creating new opportunities for habitat protection while establishing specific requirements for their creation and maintenance. The legislation expands existing definitions of conservation and mitigation banks to encompass marine artificial reefs, enabling both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish and operate these underwater habitats.

For artificial reefs placed on state sovereign land, the bill requires entities to obtain a lease from the State Lands Commission and deposit 1% of all bank credit sales into a dedicated trust fund. These funds would remain untouched during the lease period and transfer to the Commission upon lease completion to support perpetual reef management. The lease agreement would satisfy requirements for both the bank enabling instrument and conservation easement documentation.

The measure outlines specific monitoring protocols, mandating that artificial reefs meet performance standards set by permitting authorities throughout their operational period. This oversight aims to verify the reefs' effectiveness as mitigation sites. Upon lease expiration, if no renewal occurs, the State Lands Commission assumes responsibility for protecting the reef in perpetuity.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes the creation of marine artificial reefs as conservation and mitigation banks for environmental protection.
  • Requires environmental review and ongoing monitoring to ensure reefs meet designated performance standards.
  • Mandates a 1% trust fund from credit sales for long-term reef management on state lands.
  • Allows both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish and operate marine artificial reef banks.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Diane Dixon
Diane DixonR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Dixon's marine conservation initiative would allow artificial reefs to qualify as mitigation and conservation banks in California, creating new opportunities for habitat protection while establishing specific requirements for their creation and maintenance. The legislation expands existing definitions of conservation and mitigation banks to encompass marine artificial reefs, enabling both nonprofit and for-profit organizations to establish and operate these underwater habitats.

For artificial reefs placed on state sovereign land, the bill requires entities to obtain a lease from the State Lands Commission and deposit 1% of all bank credit sales into a dedicated trust fund. These funds would remain untouched during the lease period and transfer to the Commission upon lease completion to support perpetual reef management. The lease agreement would satisfy requirements for both the bank enabling instrument and conservation easement documentation.

The measure outlines specific monitoring protocols, mandating that artificial reefs meet performance standards set by permitting authorities throughout their operational period. This oversight aims to verify the reefs' effectiveness as mitigation sites. Upon lease expiration, if no renewal occurs, the State Lands Commission assumes responsibility for protecting the reef in perpetuity.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member