AB 902: Transportation projects: barriers to wildlife movement.

Official summary

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

Existing law requires the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), for any project on the state highway system in a connectivity area that adds a traffic lane or that has the potential to significantly impair wildlife connectivity, to perform an assessment, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), to identify potential wildlife connectivity barriers and any needs for improved permeability, as specified. Existing law requires the implementing agency to remediate barriers to wildlife connectivity in conjunction with the project if any structural barrier to wildlife connectivity exists or will be added by the project for target species in the connectivity area, as provided. Existing law authorizes Caltrans to use compensatory mitigation credits to satisfy this requirement if DFW concurs with the use of those credits.

This bill would require a lead agency to incorporate appropriate wildlife passage features into a transportation infrastructure project in a connectivity area, as specified. By requiring a lead agency to expand the scope of its transportation project, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would exempt a project on the state highway system from this requirement if Caltrans is the lead agency. The bill would authorize a lead agency to use compensatory mitigation credits to satisfy this requirement, as specified.

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 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 29, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 18, 2025In committee: Referred to suspense file.
3. July 10, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 9, 2025From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (July 8).
5. June 25, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on N.R. & W. (Ayes 12. Noes 2.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
6. June 11, 2025Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and N.R. & W.
7. June 3, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
8. June 2, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 14. Page 1910.)
9. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. May 23, 2025Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
11. May 23, 2025From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 23).
12. May 23, 2025Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)