AB 1548: Conservation: the Monterey Bay Area Stewardship Authority.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes various entities for specified purposes over specific geographic areas of the state, including the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority and California Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, among others.

This bill would establish the Monterey Bay Area Stewardship Authority, a regional entity with jurisdiction extending throughout the Monterey Bay region, as defined. The bill would provide that the purpose of the authority is to raise and allocate public and private funds for restoring, enhancing, protecting, engaging in long-term stewardship, and improving access for the enjoyment of natural and working lands, as defined, in the Counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz, as specified. The bill would establish a 9-member governing board to govern the authority that consists of county board of supervisors, city officials, and public members of these counties, as specified. The bill would require the board to, among other things, establish policies for the operation of the authority, and convene an advisory committee to assist and advise the board in carrying out its functions. The bill would authorize the authority to award grants to public and private entities for eligible projects, including projects that restore, protect, enhance, or maintain natural, working, or open space lands in the Counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz, as specified. The bill would also authorize the authority to, among other things, levy a benefit assessment, special tax, or property related fee, apply for and receive grants from federal and state agencies, solicit and accept gifts, fees, grants, and allocations from public and private entities, issue revenue bonds, incur general bond indebtedness, and enter into joint powers agreements, as provided.

By imposing additional duties on local governmental agencies relating to the membership of the authority’s governing board, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 10, 2026Referred to Com. on RLS.
2. June 1, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3. May 28, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 43. Noes 22. Page 5523.)
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 14).
6. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7. April 23, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. April 16, 2026Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
9. April 15, 2026Read second time and amended.
10. April 14, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 10. Noes 4.) (April 13).
11. April 7, 2026Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
12. April 6, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.