AB-902
Energy & Environment

Transportation projects: barriers to wildlife movement.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires transportation projects to include wildlife passage features in areas that affect animal movement starting 2026.
  • Allows agencies to use mitigation credits instead of building wildlife passages if approved by Fish and Wildlife.
  • Exempts state highway projects led by Caltrans from the wildlife passage requirements.
  • Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for costs of adding wildlife passages to projects.

Summary

Assembly Member Schultz's wildlife connectivity legislation requires local transportation agencies to incorporate wildlife passage features into infrastructure projects that could impair animal movement patterns. The measure applies to projects initiated after January 1, 2026 in designated connectivity areas, though it exempts state highway projects where Caltrans serves as lead agency.

The bill authorizes agencies to fulfill these requirements through compensatory mitigation credits, provided the Department of Fish and Wildlife approves their use. This provision offers flexibility while maintaining oversight of wildlife protection measures. For projects falling under the mandate, lead agencies must evaluate potential barriers to wildlife movement and implement appropriate passage features to maintain habitat connectivity.

The legislation stems from findings that transportation infrastructure can fragment wildlife habitats and disrupt species' ability to access food, water, and mates - challenges that climate change may intensify as animals need to shift their ranges. It builds upon the state's Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act by extending similar requirements to regional transportation authorities. The measure includes provisions for state reimbursement of local agency compliance costs if determined necessary by the Commission on State Mandates.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 902 Schultz Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 15 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Wildlife connectivity: transportation projects.
February 2022
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Nick Schultz
Nick SchultzD
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

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5614979PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires transportation projects to include wildlife passage features in areas that affect animal movement starting 2026.
  • Allows agencies to use mitigation credits instead of building wildlife passages if approved by Fish and Wildlife.
  • Exempts state highway projects led by Caltrans from the wildlife passage requirements.
  • Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for costs of adding wildlife passages to projects.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Nick Schultz
Nick SchultzD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Schultz's wildlife connectivity legislation requires local transportation agencies to incorporate wildlife passage features into infrastructure projects that could impair animal movement patterns. The measure applies to projects initiated after January 1, 2026 in designated connectivity areas, though it exempts state highway projects where Caltrans serves as lead agency.

The bill authorizes agencies to fulfill these requirements through compensatory mitigation credits, provided the Department of Fish and Wildlife approves their use. This provision offers flexibility while maintaining oversight of wildlife protection measures. For projects falling under the mandate, lead agencies must evaluate potential barriers to wildlife movement and implement appropriate passage features to maintain habitat connectivity.

The legislation stems from findings that transportation infrastructure can fragment wildlife habitats and disrupt species' ability to access food, water, and mates - challenges that climate change may intensify as animals need to shift their ranges. It builds upon the state's Safe Roads and Wildlife Protection Act by extending similar requirements to regional transportation authorities. The measure includes provisions for state reimbursement of local agency compliance costs if determined necessary by the Commission on State Mandates.

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 Transportation
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Transportation
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1200
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 902 Schultz Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 2, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
5614979PASS

Contacts

Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 15 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Tom UmbergD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Kelly SeyartoR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Caroline MenjivarD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
Wildlife connectivity: transportation projects.
February 2022
Passed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1