California legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB53: Native American tribes: fish and wildlife: conservation and mitigation lands.
Status: In committee, August 13, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend Sections 1390, 1416, and 1745 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to Native American tribes. Native American tribes Native American tribes: fish and wildlife: conservation and mitigation lands. (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…
From the committee substitute text, July 2, 2026:
An act to amend Sections 1390, 1416, and 1745 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to Native American tribes. Native American tribes Native American tribes: fish and wildlife: conservation and mitigation lands. (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 …