Over the past decade, the California State Parks Foundation has championed policies to enhance and protect our state parks. In the 2024 legislative session, we continued this work by sponsoring and supporting key legislation, including AB 2440, which integrates state parks into California’s 30x30 conservation goals; SB 867, a bond measure funding climate-resilient park projects; and AB 1284, which fosters co-governance agreements with Indigenous communities. Additionally, we successfully advocated for restoring $6.75 million in funding for the California State Library Parks Pass Program, ensuring equitable access to over 200 state parks. You can see the full 2024 legislative priority bills and budget items below.
Want to see what we are working on this year? See our 2025-2026 legislative priorities and budget items here.
Priority bills signed into law and budget items passed for 2024
This bill will incorporate the Department of Parks and Recreation into the state’s goals to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. The bill will ensure equitable access to the outdoors for all and specify reporting requirements around the 30x30 goal.
Restored $6.75 million in funding to cover the full cost of the California State Library Parks Pass Program for another year.
This bill will pass a statewide general obligation bond to support natural resources and parks projects increasing climate resilience.
This measure will recognize the importance of California Native American Day, celebrated this year on September 27, 2024, and the annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference.
This bill will establish the Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) as the official state crustacean.
This bill will establish the banana slug (Ariolimax) as the official state slug.
This bill will develop a program to promote beaver restoration across California.
This bill will establish the black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) as the official state seashell.
This bill will expand the definition of "integrated pest management" and "invasive species" to more broadly apply to efforts to eradicate pests through sustainable, environmentally-friendly approaches.
This bill will declare that it is the policy of the state to ensure no net loss and long-term gain in the quantity, quality, and permanence of wetlands acreage and values in California.
This measure will recognize the importance of California Native American Day, celebrated this year on September 27, 2024, and the annual California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference.
Streamlines contracting requirements for the purpose of providing logistical support for large-scale prescribed fire operations, as provided.
Top bills and budget items that did not make it through
Would pass a statewide general obligation bond to support natural resources and parks projects increasing climate resilience.
Would exempt land acquired for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Año Nuevo State Natural Reserve, and Butaño State Park from the requirement that all state park acquisitions be first acquired by the State Public Works Board.
Encourages the Governor's office, state agencies, and the Legislature to ensure parity in allocations for conservation and restoration goals toward urban nature-based investments.
Would require the California Natural Resources Agency to identify key wildlife corridors, connections between natural areas and habitats, progress on protecting additional corridors, and protection goals for the next five years.
Would require the state to coordinate relevant boards, departments, and other stakeholders to incorporate planning for permanent conservation into forest and watershed restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and managed for climate resilience.
States the intent of the Legislature to develop a permanent River Ranger progam at sites along the Los Angeles River and its tributaries.
Would simplify review required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for electrical infrastructure projects, and expand existing utility rights of way.
This bill would give the state additional tools to recover costs and penalties from companies that pollute California's waters.
This bill adds additional prohibitions against solid waste disposal permits for landfills in The Tijuana River watershed.
Would create the Conservation Stewardship Fund at the California Natural Resources Agency to receive contributions from public and private entities to support maintenance and stewardship of certain public lands, including state parks.
This bill would require all state agencies, departments, boards, offices, commissions, and conservancies to consider the 30x30 goal when adopting, revising, or establishing plans, policies, and regulations.