AB 2254: Coastal resources: monarch butterfly habitat.

Official summary

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

Existing law establishes the Department of Fish and Wildlife and sets forth the duties of that department, which include administering various programs for the protection and conservation of fish and wildlife. Existing law authorizes the department to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.

Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, among other things, establishes the California Coastal Commission and provides for planning and regulation of development in the coastal zone, as defined.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2028, the department, in coordination with the commission, to identify known monarch butterfly overwintering habitat sites in the coastal zone and current local government monarch butterfly overwintering habitat management plans or policies. The bill would also require, on or before July 1, 2029, the department, in coordination with the commission, to develop and provide guidance on model policies to be used by a local government for the protection of monarch butterfly overwintering habitat, including habitat restoration and enhancement. The bill would require, after the above-described guidance on model policies is finalized, a local government with a monarch butterfly overwintering habitat site located within its jurisdiction and the coastal zone, as described, to, on or before July 1, 2031, develop and implement enforceable monarch butterfly overwintering habitat site protection policies, as provided. By imposing additional duties on a local government, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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 3

“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. August 13, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. July 2, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 2, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 1).
5. June 24, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
6. June 10, 2026Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and L. GOV.
7. May 28, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
8. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 5480.)
9. May 19, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. May 18, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
11. May 14, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 14).
12. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.