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    SB-777
    Health & Public Health

    Abandoned endowment care cemeteries: local agency possession and responsibility.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a process for local agencies to take control of abandoned endowment care cemeteries.
    • Requires local agencies to maintain cemetery operations and honor existing burial contracts.
    • Mandates liquidation of endowment funds to create a special fund for cemetery maintenance.
    • Sets a 6-month deadline for local agencies to be identified after cemetery abandonment.

    Summary

    Senator Richardson's proposal establishes a framework for local agencies to assume responsibility for abandoned endowment care cemeteries in California. The legislation creates procedures for transferring cemetery ownership and management from the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to designated local entities when cemetery authorities cease operations.

    Under the bill's provisions, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau must notify county-level local agency formation commissions when endowment care cemeteries become abandoned - defined as properties whose operating certificates have been canceled, surrendered, or revoked without ownership transfer for one year. These commissions then have six months to identify a local agency to take possession of the cemetery. The designated agency receives the property's fee title and any endowment care funds previously held by the bureau, with those assets to be liquidated into a special fund restricted to cemetery maintenance and operations.

    The legislation requires local agencies that acquire abandoned cemeteries to maintain the properties exclusively for cemetery purposes and honor all existing burial contracts. It also modifies state code to distinguish between the handling of abandoned endowment and non-endowment care cemeteries. As the bill creates new obligations for local agencies, it includes provisions for state reimbursement of mandated costs through established procedures, pending review by the Commission on State Mandates.

    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 scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Senate Floor
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. 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 7 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
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 28, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a process for local agencies to take control of abandoned endowment care cemeteries.
    • Requires local agencies to maintain cemetery operations and honor existing burial contracts.
    • Mandates liquidation of endowment funds to create a special fund for cemetery maintenance.
    • Sets a 6-month deadline for local agencies to be identified after cemetery abandonment.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Senator Richardson's proposal establishes a framework for local agencies to assume responsibility for abandoned endowment care cemeteries in California. The legislation creates procedures for transferring cemetery ownership and management from the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to designated local entities when cemetery authorities cease operations.

    Under the bill's provisions, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau must notify county-level local agency formation commissions when endowment care cemeteries become abandoned - defined as properties whose operating certificates have been canceled, surrendered, or revoked without ownership transfer for one year. These commissions then have six months to identify a local agency to take possession of the cemetery. The designated agency receives the property's fee title and any endowment care funds previously held by the bureau, with those assets to be liquidated into a special fund restricted to cemetery maintenance and operations.

    The legislation requires local agencies that acquire abandoned cemeteries to maintain the properties exclusively for cemetery purposes and honor all existing burial contracts. It also modifies state code to distinguish between the handling of abandoned endowment and non-endowment care cemeteries. As the bill creates new obligations for local agencies, it includes provisions for state reimbursement of mandated costs through established procedures, pending review by the Commission on State Mandates.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    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 scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Senate Local Government Hearing
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Senate Floor
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 28, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    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 7 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
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author