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Bills

SB 1062: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: fees.

  • Session Year: 2025-2026
  • House: Senate
  • Latest Version Date: 2026-04-23

Current Status:

In Progress

(2026-06-01: Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Enacted

Version:

The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act prohibits any person or public agency from importing into the state, exporting out of the state, or taking, possessing, purchasing, or selling within the state, a western Joshua tree or any part or product of the tree, except as specified. The act authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife to permit the taking of a western Joshua tree if specified conditions are met, including, but not limited to, that the permittee mitigates all impacts to, and taking of, the western Joshua tree through measures that are roughly proportional in extent to the impact of the authorized taking of the western Joshua tree. The act authorizes, in lieu of completing the mitigation measures, a permittee to elect to satisfy the mitigation obligation by paying fees pursuant to a specified fee schedule, as provided. Existing law requires the department to annually adjust the fees, as specified.

This bill would authorize the department to, upon the request from a state or local public agency, establish project-specific conditions for a project related to a life-sustaining service, as defined. The bill would provide that project-specific conditions may include, but are not limited to, the creation of projectwide standards for avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures, a reduction or waiver of in-lieu mitigation fees, or other compliance flexibility or concession the department deems appropriate to facilitate timely and cost-effective maintenance, operation, or construction of a project.

This bill would require the department to consider making the fees proportionate to the impact of a project and the use of tiered fees by project type, size, or other criteria.

Discussed in Hearing

Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations32SEC
May 11, 2026

Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations

Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water12MIN
Apr 21, 2026

Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

View Older Hearings

News Coverage:

SB 1062: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: fees. | Digital Democracy