2025 Legislative Agenda

The 2025 legislation to increase access, equity, and excellence in state parks across California.

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2025 Legislative Agenda

Leadership in lobbying

As part of our role in advancing state parks issues for the last decade, California State Parks Foundation has provided leadership in lobbying the California legislature on relevant bills and budget actions as well as proactively sponsoring legislation. We have sponsored legislation to achieve park protection as well as facilitate fiscal sustainability for the state park system.

In addition to sponsoring legislation, we also maintain regular communication with key policy committee members and provide testimony to legislative hearings, and coordinate with other like-minded organizations on policy priorities.

Bills Signed Into Law in the 2025–2026 Legislative Session

AB 1207
Climate change: market-based compliance mechanism: extension (Irwin)

Reauthorizes the state's cap-and-trade program, renaming it Cap-and-Invest, through 2045. 

AB 454
Migratory birds: California Migratory Bird Protection Act (Kalra)

Extends the California Migratory Bird Protection Act indefinitely, protecting endangered nongame migratory birds. 

AB 679
Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks (Pellerin)

This bill would exempt property acquired by California State Parks for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks from the requirement that such properties must be acquired first by the State Public Works Board. 

AB 900
Environmental protection: 30x30 goals: land conservation: science-based management and stewardship (Papan)

This bill would require updates in the annual "Pathways to 30x30" report prepared by the Natural Resources Agency for the legislature, to include additional recommendations to improve stewardship of 30x30 lands.

SB 427
Habitat Conservation Fund (Blakespear)

This bill extends required funding ($30 million annually) for the Habitat Conservation Fund indefinitely. 

SB 630
State parks: real property: acquisitions and leases (Allen)

Allows Director of State Parks to waive approvals by the Director of General Services for state park aquisitions valued at less than $1 million

SB 765
State snake (Niello)

This bill would establish the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) as the official state snake.

SB 840
Greenhouse gases: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: studies (Limón)

Creates new appropriation framework for funds raised through the state's Cap-and-Invest program, effective July 1, 2026. The new framework would allow investments in natural and working lands, including state parks, through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Top bills and budget items that did not make it through

Held in Appropriations
AB 616
Department of Parks and Recreation: California State Library Parks Pass (Caloza)

This bill would allow California State Parks to, at its discretion, distribute passes to the California State Library free of charge, to support the California State Library Parks Pass program. 

Bill Details
Held in Appropriations
AB 491
California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006: climate goals: natural and working lands (Connolly)

This bill makes amendments to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which declares it the policy of the state to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2045. Under the Act, the Natural Resources Agency is required to update a plan every five years, and to integrate targets for natural carbon sequestration into the plan. The bill would specify that it is the goal of the state to achieve those targets. 

Bill Details
In Committee
AB 666
State cryptid (Rogers)

This bill would designate Bigfoot as the official state cryptid.

Bill Details
In Committee
AB 902
Transportation planning and programming: barriers to wildlife movement (Shultz)

This bill would require transportation planning agencies to consider the impacts of development, and the barriers caused by transportation infrastructure and development, to wildlife and habitat connectivity.

Bill Details
In Committee
SB 795
30x30 goal: state agencies: plans, policies, or regulations (Richardson)

This bill would require all state agencies to consider the 30x30 goal when adopting, revising, or establishing plans, policies, or regulations, and ensure that the plan, policy, or regulation under consideration is not inconsistent with the 30x30 goal.

Bill Details
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We’re dedicated to ensuring California state parks are protected, well-funded, and accessible for everyone. From monitoring key legislation to addressing climate challenges and expanding recreational spaces, we work to preserve these natural treasures for generations to come. Your donation fuels this important work. Donate today and help us protect the places that matter most.

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