WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 1663

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: removal: trimming.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Wallis

The bill creates a narrow exemption from the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act for long-held single-family parcels meeting specific ownership and historic local-ordinance criter

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#westernjoshuatreeconservationact #removal #trimming
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1663

Summary of AB 1663 (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: single-family residence exemption)

Jurisdiction: California | Session: 2025-2026 | Introduced: January 29, 2026
Author: Assembly Member Wallis | Co-sponsor: Greg Wallis

1. Purpose and intent

  • The bill provides a targeted exemption to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act for certain residential parcels. Specifically, it aims to reduce regulatory barriers for projects located on parcels that contain or will contain a single-family residence, where the parcel has been continuously owned by the same person since before July 10, 2023 (including transfers by gift or inheritance with no consideration) and the owner complies with local Joshua tree ordinances as they read on July 10, 2023.
  • Overall, AB 1663 preserves the general protections for western Joshua trees while carving out an exemption for long-held, single-family parcels that meet the specified ownership and local-ordinance criteria.

2. Key provisions and changes

New exemption created

  • Section 1928 is added to the Fish and Game Code to establish an exemption from the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act for a project or activity located within a parcel meeting all of the following criteria:
    1. The parcel has been continuously owned by the same person on or before July 10, 2023.
      • The definition of “continuously owned by the same person” includes subsequent owners who acquired the property by gift or inheritance, with no consideration exchanged for transfer of ownership.
    2. The parcel owner complies with applicable local ordinances regarding western Joshua trees as those ordinances read on July 10, 2023.
  • The effect is that projects or activities on such parcels would not be subject to the prohibitions on importing, exporting, taking, possessing, purchasing, or selling western Joshua trees or tree parts/products under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, nor subject to mandated mitigation or alternative fee payments for taking under the Act.

Non-substantive editing

  • The bill includes a nonsubstantive change to the formal naming of the act, reaffirming its citation as the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

Related provisions retained

  • Section 1927 of the Fish and Game Code remains the general basis for the act, with the updated Section 1928 providing the exemption framework described above.

3. Who and what is affected

Affected entities

  • Property owners of parcels that contain or will contain a single-family residence and meet the ownership and local ordinance criteria described above.
  • Local governments and jurisdictions, to the extent they enforce local Joshua tree ordinances in effect on July 10, 2023.

Non-affected entities

  • Projects on parcels that do not meet the continuous ownership requirement or do not comply with the July 10, 2023 local ordinance readings would remain subject to the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

4. Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced January 29, 2026, and has undergone committee consideration with amendments and re-referrals.
  • Action history (as of the latest available data):
    • 2026-04-23: Amended and passed committee, re-referred to Assembly Appropriations.
    • 2026-03-17 and 2026-03-16: Referred to the Committee on Wildlife, Parks, and Water; amendments adopted.
    • 2026-01-30, 2026-01-29: Introduction and initial referrals.

5. Practical impact and considerations

  • Pros:

    • Provides predictable, parcel-specific relief for long-held single-family parcels, potentially reducing regulatory burdens and mitigation requirements for owners who meet the specified criteria.
    • Recognizes historical local ordinances in effect as of July 10, 2023.

  • Cons:

    • Creates a narrow exemption that applies only to parcels meeting strict ownership continuity and local-ordinance criteria; similar relief is not extended to other property types or ownership timelines.
    • Could raise questions about consistency with broader conservation goals and mitigation provisions for western Joshua trees on other parcels.

  • Fiscal impact:

    • The bill notes no requested appropriations, and no explicit fiscal committee analysis is indicated in the provided text.

Overall, AB 1663 creates a narrowly tailored exemption within the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act for certain single-family residential parcels with long-standing ownership and compliance with historic local ordinances.

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

Sign in to ask a question.