AB 53: Native American tribes: fish and wildlife: conservation and mitigation lands.

Official summary

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

(1)Existing law requires the Wildlife Conservation Board to establish and administer, through the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program with the purpose and goal of protecting, preserving, and restoring riparian habitats throughout the state, as specified. Existing law authorizes the board to authorize the department to award grants and loans for the purposes of the program to specified entities.

This bill would authorize the board to authorize the department to make those awards to federally recognized tribes.

(2)Existing law establishes the Inland Wetlands Conservation Program under the board with the purpose and goal of carrying out the programs of the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture. Existing law authorizes the board to make grants or loans for the purpose of wetland and associated upland habitat acquisition, restoration, or enhancement to specified entities.

This bill would authorize the board to make those grants or loans to federally recognized tribes.

(3)Existing law authorizes the department to enter into contracts or other agreements with nonprofit conservation groups or resource conservation districts for the management and operation of department-managed lands.

This bill would authorize the department to also enter into those contracts or other agreements with federally recognized tribes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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 15, 2026Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
6. June 12, 2026Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
7. June 12, 2026Withdrawn from committee.
8. June 11, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on REV. & TAX.
9. June 11, 2025Referred to Coms. on REV. & TAX. and M. & V.A.
10. May 29, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
11. May 29, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0. Page 1776.)
12. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.