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AB 1520

Public resources: conservation.

2025-2026 Regular Session

AB 1520 modernizes California's conservation laws, streamlining habitat preservation processes and improving funding for wildlife projects, benefiting conservation stakeholders.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 401, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · AB 1520

Summary of AB 1520: Public Resources: Conservation

Bill Number: AB 1520
Introduced: March 13, 2025
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 401, Statutes of 2025
Vote Requirement: Majority
Fiscal Committee: Yes
Local Program: No

Purpose and Intent

AB 1520 aims to enhance conservation efforts in California by updating existing laws related to conservation banks, water conservation districts, and state park concessions. The bill seeks to streamline processes for habitat preservation and restoration, improve funding mechanisms for wildlife projects, and redefine key terms to better reflect current practices.

Key Provisions

  1. Conservation Banks:

    • Authorizes the use of surety bonds as acceptable forms of security for conservation banks, mitigation banks, or conservation and mitigation banks, which must be approved by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
    • Ensures that no bank can be operative unless it has received written approval from the DFW.

  2. State Duck Stamp Account:

    • Mandates that the DFW adhere to existing laws when making grants or entering agreements funded by the State Duck Stamp Account, which supports projects aimed at protecting migratory waterfowl habitats.

  3. Water Conservation Districts:

    • Redefines the "water year" from July 1 to June 30 to October 1 to September 30, aligning it with the agricultural water usage cycle and improving groundwater management practices.

  4. State Park Concessions:

    • Modifies the bidding process for contracts related to state park concessions, requiring public notice for contracts longer than three years and removing the requirement for newspaper advertisements.
    • Changes the reporting requirements for concessionaires, mandating annual financial statements prepared or audited by a certified public accountant.

  5. Miscellaneous Updates:

    • Includes updates to obsolete place names and makes other nonsubstantive changes to existing laws.

Impact

  • Stakeholders Affected:

    • Conservation banks, wildlife management organizations, water conservation districts, and state park concessionaires will be directly impacted by the changes in regulations and requirements.
    • The bill aims to improve the efficiency of conservation efforts, potentially leading to better habitat preservation and restoration outcomes.

  • Procedural Changes:

    • The bill streamlines the approval process for conservation banks and modifies the financial reporting requirements for state park concessions, which may reduce administrative burdens and enhance compliance.

Timeline of Legislative Actions

  • 2025-10-06: Approved by the Governor.
  • 2025-09-22: Enrolled and presented to the Governor.
  • 2025-09-10: Senate amendments concurred in.
  • 2025-09-09: Passed in the Senate and ordered to the Assembly.
  • 2025-08-29: Passed out of committee with a recommendation to consent.
  • 2025-06-18: Referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water.

AB 1520 represents a significant step towards modernizing California's conservation laws, ensuring that they are more effective and aligned with contemporary environmental needs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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