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AB-452 • 2026

Coastal recreation: designated state surfing reserves.

Coastal recreation: designated state surfing reserves.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Irwin
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text does not define the specific criteria for eligibility; it only states they must be established by July 1, 2026.

Creating State Surfing Reserves

This law requires the California Coastal Conservancy to create rules and an application process for local governments to designate specific coastline areas as state surfing reserves.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the conservancy to establish criteria and an application process by July 1, 2026.
  • Allows local governments to apply to designate a coastline area within their jurisdiction as a reserve.
  • Requires applications to include a description of the proposed surfing reserve.
  • Mandates that the conservancy approve any application where the area meets the established criteria.
  • Requires approved reserves to be listed in conservancy publications or maps where appropriate.
  • Allows the conservancy to publicize reserves and erect signs if funding is appropriated by the legislature.
  • Authorizes the conservancy to accept donations for signage and publicity efforts.
  • Allows the conservancy to revoke a reserve designation if it no longer meets the criteria.
  • Requires notice of approved reserves be sent to the Ocean Protection Council.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The California Coastal Conservancy
  • Local governments with coastline jurisdiction
  • The Ocean Protection Council

Terms To Know

State Surfing Reserve
An area of the coastline designated by the conservancy after a local government application meets established criteria.
California Coastal Conservancy
The state agency responsible for setting reserve rules, reviewing applications, and managing coastal programs.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Signage and publicity efforts depend on future funding approvals from the legislature.
  • The specific criteria for what makes an area eligible are not listed in this summary text.
  • It is unclear how many reserves will be created or where they might be located.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Coastal recreation: designated state surfing reserves.