Natural Resources & Water

Expands city authority to permit removal of western Joshua trees for commercial and industrial development projects. Requires cities to conduct annual population assessments and submit quarterly reports on tree removals and relocations. Mandates that relocated trees must be overseen by desert plant specialists following scientific protocols. Sets tiered mitigation fees up to $2,500 per tree based on size and location, with higher rates near protected areas.

Adds mute swans to the list of nongame birds that can be taken without special permits. Allows landowners to remove mute swans from their property without obtaining a hunting license. Requires all other individuals to obtain a hunting license before taking mute swans.

Exempts certain agricultural water delivery structures called weirs from being regulated as dams in California. Requires weirs to maintain a minimum three-foot freeboard on levees to qualify for the exemption. Applies only to weirs that are part of the federal flood control system with removable gates or flashboards.

Requires groundwater agencies to publish their board membership online by January 2026. Mandates agencies to provide online links to board members' economic interest statements. Enhances transparency in groundwater management through public disclosure requirements.

Establishes the bigberry manzanita as California's official state shrub. Recognizes a native plant species that helps prevent soil erosion in California's chaparral ecosystem. Highlights a historically significant plant used by Native Americans and the extinct California grizzly bear.

Makes technical changes to update obsolete place names and removes outdated provisions in water and natural resources laws.

Establishes reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for eligible California residents through 2031. Requires applicants to prove eligibility through documentation of participation in public assistance programs. Mandates a comprehensive evaluation report on the program's impact by October 2029. Provides discounted licenses to disabled veterans, recovering service members, and low-income residents.

Makes technical changes to firefighting equipment requirements for industrial operations in fire-prone areas.

Expands the SHARE program to increase public access to private lands for wildlife recreation activities. Removes existing caps on landowner compensation to encourage greater private land participation. Authorizes reimbursements to nonprofits and landowners for program implementation costs. Requires participants to sign liability waivers before accessing program lands.

Requires hunting license purchasers to receive firearm safety and legal information starting July 2027. Mandates education on safe storage, child access prevention, and basic firearm laws for hunters. Authorizes Fish and Wildlife Department to create additional firearm safety requirements for licenses.

Requires large public water systems to enhance their disaster preparedness plans with specific operational details. Mandates water systems to submit emergency response assessments to the Legislature within 6 months of disasters. Requires backup power solutions including onsite and portable generators for emergency operations. Establishes coordination between water systems and emergency services for comprehensive disaster planning.

Establishes a five-year pilot program in El Dorado County allowing trained handlers to haze threatening mountain lions. Requires licensed houndspersons to obtain annual permits for participating in mountain lion hazing activities. Mandates a comprehensive evaluation report by 2033 to assess program effectiveness and expansion potential.

Establishes a new 'Water Wise' designation program to recognize businesses that excel in water conservation practices. Requires commercial and industrial businesses to meet specific water management standards for certification. Integrates the designation program into the existing Save Our Water Campaign without new funding.

Exempts tribal lands used for conservation and public recreation from property taxes until 2031. Eliminates transfer taxes on ancestral land returns to Native American tribes through 2031. Requires tribes to maintain conservation plans and restrict land use to cultural and educational purposes. Mandates annual reporting on tribal land transfers and tax exemption impacts.

Establishes the giant garter snake as California's official state snake. Recognizes a threatened species found only in California's Central Valley wetlands and agricultural areas. Aims to increase awareness of a native species that has declined by 90 percent in the past century.

Establishes water storage as California's preferred method for meeting future water demands. Requires the Department of Water Resources to update the state water plan to prioritize storage solutions. Aims to address growing water needs across urban, agricultural, and environmental sectors.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to regulate water systems and water districts in future legislation.

Authorizes the state to lease and manage Elephant Hill in Los Angeles as a new state park unit. Requires lease agreements between state parks, the City of Los Angeles, and conservation authorities. Mandates development of a comprehensive general plan for the new park unit. Ensures permanent protection of Elephant Hill through state park classification.

Establishes new rules for challenging groundwater sustainability agency decisions in court. Requires groundwater agencies to provide technical reports on water usage during legal disputes. Makes groundwater agency technical reports automatically admissible as evidence in court. Mandates courts to distribute the costs of technical reports fairly among involved parties.

Prohibits the sale or transport of wildlife and plants that violate federal trade laws through December 2031. Requires emergency protection of California species if federal endangered species protections are reduced. Mandates quarterly monitoring of federal actions that could threaten protected species. Exempts state-authorized cannabis and hemp activities from wildlife trade restrictions.

Requires public hearings 21 days before approving hydroelectric facility operating licenses. Centralizes authority for hydroelectric facility certifications within the state water board. Allows early certification before environmental reviews to prevent federal authority waivers.

Extends the deadline for municipal wastewater agencies to file stormwater agreements from 30 to 40 days. Maintains existing authority for wastewater agencies to manage stormwater and collect related fees. Requires filing agreements with local agency formation commissions in all counties where the agency operates.

Strengthens groundwater management by requiring courts to follow sustainability plans when setting water usage limits. Mandates consolidation of legal challenges to groundwater sustainability plans to streamline court proceedings. Requires courts to consider impacts on small farmers and disadvantaged communities in groundwater decisions. Sets a 180-day deadline for agencies to validate their groundwater sustainability plans after adoption.

Expands the State Water Board's authority to investigate and monitor water rights claims in stream systems. Requires water users to submit monthly usage reports within 45 days of receiving an information order. Authorizes the Board to inspect water-related properties and facilities with a warrant. Establishes cost-sharing requirements for technical reports among multiple water users.

Prohibits pit dewatering operations near the San Joaquin River Parkway to protect groundwater resources. Applies to areas where groundwater is less than 50 feet below ground surface. Covers both actively pumped water and natural overflow from rainfall or groundwater seepage.