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AB 2770

State Property: San Pasqual Battlefield State Park.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Alvarez and 1 co-sponsor

Transfers about 3.68 acres in San Pasqual Battlefield State Park from state to San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians for cultural/educational use with limits on commercial activity.

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 2770

Summary of AB 2770 (2025-2026) – State Property: San Pasqual Battlefield State Park

Purpose and intent

AB 2770, introduced by Assembly Member David Alvarez, seeks to address historical grievances related to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians by returning state-owned land within the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park to the tribe and encouraging the City of San Diego to transfer its interests in the same park to the tribe. The bill frames these actions as corrective measures for past injustices and aims to enable the San Pasqual Band to operate a public park that educates the public about the tribe’s history and contributions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Quitclaim of state lands to the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians (SBMI): The Department of General Services would quitclaim, at no cost to SBMI, all state interests in the land the state owns within San Pasqual Battlefield State Park, totaling about 3.68 acres across three parcels.
  • Conditions on the quitclaim:
    • All existing state leases or agreements governing the land would terminate by operation of law.
    • The quitclaim deed would limit SBMI’s commercial use to operating a cultural or educational center. Related commercial activity tied to education and culture (e.g., gift shop, snack bar, parking) is allowed; broader commercial development (e.g., gaming) is prohibited.
    • The transferred lands and improvements may not be sold or transferred except to place the land in federal trust for SBMI if required.
    • The land would not be encumbered by liens or mortgages. Leases must align with the granted purposes.
    • The land would be exempt from property taxes and documentary transfer taxes.
    • SBMI Tribal Council must adopt a tribal resolution accepting the grant.
    • Public access would be governed by SBMI, with restrictions to existing trails/roads and a prohibition on off-road vehicles and e-bikes.
  • City of San Diego encouragement to transfer land: The bill urges San Diego to transfer its interests in the park lands to SBMI. If the city agrees, the state would relinquish or transfer all state rights and interests in those City-owned lands to SBMI, and take any necessary actions to effectuate the transfer.
  • Legislative findings and public purpose: The bill includes findings about historical dispossession and the intention to rectify past wrongs, and asserts that these actions do not constitute a gift of public funds.
  • Fiscal and local-mandate considerations: The bill notes potential costs mandated by the state and provides that reimbursement to local agencies would follow existing mandate reimbursement procedures if applicable. It also states that there is no direct appropriation in the act for property tax losses.

Who and what would be affected

  • San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians (SBMI): Would gain full state ownership of the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park lands for cultural/educational use and public access under tribal regulation.
  • State of California (Department of General Services): Directed to execute a quitclaim of the specified lands.
  • City of San Diego: Encouraged to transfer its park lands within the state park to SBMI; contingent on City action.
  • Local governments: Potential reimbursement considerations if mandated costs arise, per existing state processes.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill has an explicit sequence of amendments and committee referrals, with actions in early 2026 leading to a potential floor vote.
  • The act would become effective upon passage and subject to tribal adoption of the grant by SBMI.

This summary captures AB 2770’s core aims, substantive provisions, and potential impacts on land ownership, tribal sovereignty, tax status, and public access within the San Pasqual Battlefield State Park.

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

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