Power In Nature Coalition Recaps the End of California’s Legislative Session

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 30, 2025

Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Power In Nature coalition responded today to the close of California’s legislative session and Governor Newsom’s recent bill signings, emphasizing the following points:

• • Prop 4 Expenditures: More than $1.5 billion in Prop 4 funds were appropriated in programs related to 30×30 for acquisition, restoration, stewardship, and public access.

• • Protecting Environmental Agency Staff: More than 300 jobs at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks, and the State Water Resources Control Board were protected temporarily, highlighting the importance of these positions. We will continue to work to protect these positions going into 2026. 

• • Preserving the Habitat Conservation Fund: Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 427 authored by State Senators Catherine Blakespear (SD-38) and Henry Stern (SD-27), which extends the sunset date for the Habitat Conservation Fund to 2035. This fund supports the acquisition, restoration, and enhancement of wildlife habitat across the state. To date, the fund has protected more than 1.2 million acres. 

• • 30×30 Legislation:More than half of the bills that the Power in Nature Coalition supported this year were signed into law, including:
    
    • • Assembly Bill 43, Wild and ScenicRivers: Authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (AD-44).
    • • Assembly Bill 263, Scott River: Shasta River:watersheds: Authored by Assemblymember Chris Rogers (AD-02).
    • • Assembly Bill 454, California Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (AD-27).
    • • Assembly Bill 900, Environmental protection: 30×30 goals: land conservation: science-based management and stewardship: Authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan (AD-21).
    • • Assembly Bill 1319, Protected species: California Endangered Species Act: Authored by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (AD-44).
    • • Senate Bill 392, Regional park districts: East Bay Regional Park District: East Bay Hills ConservationProgram: Authored by State Senator Tim Grayson (SD-09).
    • • Senate Bill 427, Ensuring Continued Ongoing Funding for Critical Habitat Conservation: Authored by State Senators Catherine Blakespear (SD-38) and Henry Stern (SD-27).

Unfortunately, not all the news out of Sacramento this year was good. Setbacks include:

• • Critical reductions in protections to habitat and communities: Changes were made to the California Environmental Quality Act from SB 131 that reduced protections to habitat for imperiled species and created a massive exemption for polluting manufacturing projects.

Please see below for statements from Power in Nature members reflecting on some of this year’s key outcomes.

Statement from Melanie Schlotterbeck, Conservation Consultant for Hills for Everyone and co-chair of the Power In Nature Coalition Leadership Committee, on the end of the 2025-2026 legislative session:

“This year’s Legislative session brought both highs and lows. We’re very grateful to the legislators who helped California advance environmental protections and essential funding, especially at a time when state leadership is critical for maintaining progress for 30×30. We thank the Governor for supporting important backstops like AB 1319, which provides California with an important tool to protect endangered and threatened species impacted by federal rollbacks. These were all important steps forward for California. At the same time, we are deeply disappointed that the Legislature and Governor took a major step backward by enacting legislation that undermines CEQA, California’s environmental bill of rights, and protections for imperiled species’ habitats. We look forward to supporting Assemblymember Connolly’s important clean-up bill, AB 1083, and addressing the unacceptable rollbacks of habitat protections and the exemptions for polluting manufacturing projects.” 

Statement from Amber Jamieson, Water Advocacy Director, Environmental Protection Information Center, on AB 263:

“The signing of AB 263 is a victory for salmon, rivers, and the communities that depend on them. We thank Assemblymember Rogers for championing this as his first bill and Governor Newsom for recognizing the urgent need to safeguard flows in the Scott and Shasta rivers. This law honors Tribal leadership, upholds California’s responsibility to protect endangered salmon, and provides stability for communities as we work toward long-term solutions.”

Statement from Michael Chen, Senior Manager of Government Relations, Audubon California, on AB 454 and SB 427: 

“With the permanent reinstatement of the California Migratory Bird Protection Act with AB 454 and the extension of the Habitat Conservation Fund via SB 427, California is once again leading the way in protecting our biodiversity and vulnerable birds. SB 427 will continue to fund vital projects that benefit communities and ecosystems, from preserving open spaces to restoring wetlands. AB 454 will protect the hundreds of bird species that rely on our state for their incredible migrations. We are grateful to the state legislature for re-affirming their commitment to our state’s irreplaceable habitats and wildlife.”

Statement from Pamela Flick, Program Director, Defenders of Wildlife California, on the passage of AB 1319:

“It’s painfully clear that the federal Endangered Species Act is staring down the barrel of a long gun and will be for the foreseeable future, but today, California is standing strong for its native species. With this move, Governor Newsom has made a powerful statement and a lasting investment in the future of California’s beautiful landscapes and irreplaceable wildlife.”  

Background on 30×30: 

Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal, and in 2023, that goal became state law. 

California is making strong progress towards 30×30, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than five years. Preserving the state’s lands and coastal waters will help address the impacts of climate change, protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction, and expand access to nature for Californians. 

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About the Power In Nature Coalition

Power In Nature is a statewide coalition of over 250 community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power In Nature coalition has identified nearly 100 potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerInNature.org