SB-427
Natural Resources & Water

Habitat Conservation Fund.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the $30 million annual Habitat Conservation Fund through 2035 to protect California wildlife habitats.
  • Allocates funds to state parks, coastal areas, and mountain conservation projects across California.
  • Requires equal distribution of funds between northern and southern California conservation efforts.
  • Limits administrative costs to 1.5 percent of total conservation funding.

Summary

Senators Blakespear and Stern propose extending California's annual $30 million transfer from the General Fund to the Habitat Conservation Fund through 2035, maintaining critical funding for wildlife habitat protection across the state. The measure continues appropriations to four key conservation entities: the Department of Parks and Recreation ($4.5 million), State Coastal Conservancy ($4 million), Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy ($5 million), and California Tahoe Conservancy ($500,000), with remaining funds directed to the Wildlife Conservation Board.

The legislation preserves existing allocation requirements, including regional balance between northern and southern California projects. The Wildlife Conservation Board must direct approximately one-third of expenditures toward deer and mountain lion habitat, with two-thirds supporting other wildlife habitat and natural areas. Additional provisions ensure $6 million biennial allocations for both rare species recovery and wetlands protection.

The bill builds upon the 1990 California Wildlife Protection Act and subsequent 2019 legislation that authorized these annual transfers through 2030. By extending the funding mechanism for an additional five years, the measure aims to provide sustained support for habitat acquisition, enhancement and restoration projects across California's diverse ecosystems.

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
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB427 Blakespear et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
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]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Bill Author
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

Henry Stern
Henry SternD
California State Senator
Catherine Blakespear
Catherine BlakespearD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member
Damon Connolly
Damon ConnollyD
California State Assembly Member
Benjamin Allen
Benjamin AllenD
California State Senator
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

June 2, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the $30 million annual Habitat Conservation Fund through 2035 to protect California wildlife habitats.
  • Allocates funds to state parks, coastal areas, and mountain conservation projects across California.
  • Requires equal distribution of funds between northern and southern California conservation efforts.
  • Limits administrative costs to 1.5 percent of total conservation funding.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Henry Stern
Henry SternD
California State Senator
Catherine Blakespear
Catherine BlakespearD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Ash Kalra
Ash KalraD
California State Assembly Member
Damon Connolly
Damon ConnollyD
California State Assembly Member
Benjamin Allen
Benjamin AllenD
California State Senator

Summary

Senators Blakespear and Stern propose extending California's annual $30 million transfer from the General Fund to the Habitat Conservation Fund through 2035, maintaining critical funding for wildlife habitat protection across the state. The measure continues appropriations to four key conservation entities: the Department of Parks and Recreation ($4.5 million), State Coastal Conservancy ($4 million), Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy ($5 million), and California Tahoe Conservancy ($500,000), with remaining funds directed to the Wildlife Conservation Board.

The legislation preserves existing allocation requirements, including regional balance between northern and southern California projects. The Wildlife Conservation Board must direct approximately one-third of expenditures toward deer and mountain lion habitat, with two-thirds supporting other wildlife habitat and natural areas. Additional provisions ensure $6 million biennial allocations for both rare species recovery and wetlands protection.

The bill builds upon the 1990 California Wildlife Protection Act and subsequent 2019 legislation that authorized these annual transfers through 2030. By extending the funding mechanism for an additional five years, the measure aims to provide sustained support for habitat acquisition, enhancement and restoration projects across California's diverse ecosystems.

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 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
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB427 Blakespear et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
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]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Contacts

Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 7 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member