AB-1663 • 2026

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: removal: trimming.

Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Wallis
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide detailed information on enforcement mechanisms, penalties for violations, or specific implementation timelines.

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: Removal and Trimming Exceptions

This act allows certain exemptions to protect western Joshua trees but permits trimming or removal under specific conditions, such as when a tree is dead or poses a safety risk.

What This Bill Does

Allows the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits for removing or trimming live or dead western Joshua trees if they meet certain criteria.
Exempts single-family residences that have been continuously owned by the same person since July 10, 2023, from some restrictions on tree removal or trimming.
Permits the removal of a western Joshua tree without fees when it is necessary to maintain existing infrastructure or utilities and meets specific criteria.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own single-family residences continuously since July 10, 2023
The Department of Fish and Wildlife
Anyone planning to remove or trim western Joshua trees

Terms To Know

Western Joshua Tree: A specific type of tree found in the western United States, protected by this act.
Permittee: Someone who has been given permission to remove or trim a western Joshua tree under certain conditions.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone violates the rules about trimming or removing trees.
It is unclear how the Department of Fish and Wildlife will enforce these new exemptions and permits.
There are no details on when this act would become law.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-28 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 23).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
2026-01-30 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1663, as amended, Wallis.
Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act:
single-family residence: exemption.
removal: trimming.
The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act prohibits any person or public agency from importing into the state, exporting out of the state, or taking, possessing, purchasing, or selling within the state, a western Joshua tree or any part or product of the tree, except as specified. The act authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife to permit the taking of a western Joshua tree if specified conditions are met, including, but not limited to, that the permittee mitigates all impacts to, and taking of, the western Joshua tree through measures that are roughly proportional in extent to the authorized taking of the western Joshua tree. The act authorizes, in lieu of completing the mitigation measures, a permittee to elect to satisfy the mitigation obligation by paying fees pursuant to a specified fee schedule, as provided.
The act authorizes the department to permit the removal or trimming of a dead western Joshua tree or trimming of a live western Joshua tree, without payment of fees or other mitigation, provided that the dead western Joshua tree or any limb to be removed satisfies a specified condition, including that the tree is leaning against an existing structure.
This bill would exempt
from the act a project or activity located within a parcel that contains, or will contain, a single-family residence that has been continuously owned by the same person, as specified, on or before July 10, 2023, and the parcel owner complies with applicable local ordinances regarding western Joshua trees as those local ordinances read on July 10, 2023.
This bill would additionally authorize the department to issue a permit, without payment of fees or other mitigation, for the removal or trimming of any western Joshua tree that meets certain criteria, including that the western Joshua tree is located on a parcel that contains an existing single-family residence that is occupied by a person who maintains a specified homeowner’s property tax exemption and that the removal or trimming of the western Joshua tree is necessary to maintain, repair, or replace existing infrastructure or utilities, as specified.
The bill would require an applicant for a permit to demonstrate to the department that the western Joshua tree meets the criteria required for the permit, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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