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AB-679 • 2026

Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks.

Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Pellerin
Last action
2025-10-03
Official status
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 275, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the legislative findings explaining the necessity of a special statute, only that such findings and declarations exist.

Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks

This law allows the Department of Parks and Recreation to buy land for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks without needing approval from the State Public Works Board until January 1, 2033.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Department of Parks and Recreation to purchase property directly for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks without going through the State Public Works Board.
  • Requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to report to the Legislature about how they use this new power in 2028, 2030, and 2032.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks

Terms To Know

State Public Works Board
A board that usually needs to approve land purchases by state agencies.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law only applies until January 1, 2033.
  • It is not clear how the Department of Parks and Recreation will use this new power without State Public Works Board approval.

Bill History

  1. 2025-10-03 California Legislative Information

    Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 275, Statutes of 2025.

  2. 2025-10-03 California Legislative Information

    Approved by the Governor.

  3. 2025-09-22 California Legislative Information

    Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

  4. 2025-09-10 California Legislative Information

    Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 59. Noes 18. Page 3199.).

  5. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  6. 2025-09-09 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2727.).

  7. 2025-09-08 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  8. 2025-09-05 California Legislative Information

    Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  9. 2025-09-02 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  10. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  11. 2025-08-26 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  12. 2025-08-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

  13. 2025-08-13 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  14. 2025-07-17 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  15. 2025-07-16 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (July 16).

  16. 2025-05-14 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.

  17. 2025-05-06 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  18. 2025-05-05 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 57. Noes 13. Page 1419.)

  19. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  20. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 4.) (April 9).

  21. 2025-03-27 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  22. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended.

  23. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 3.) (March 25).

  24. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on W. P., & W.

  25. 2025-02-15 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.

  26. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 679, Pellerin.
Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks.
Existing law designates all parks, public campgrounds, monument sites, landmark sites, and sites of historical interest established or acquired by the state, or that are under its control, as the state park system, except as specified. Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation controls the state park system, which is made up of units. Existing law authorizes the department to acquire title to or any interest in real property, including personal property incidental to the purchase of real property and options to purchase property, that the department deems necessary or proper for the extension, improvement, or development of the state park system. Existing law requires that all land and other real property to be acquired by or for any state agency be acquired by the State Public Works Board, except as specified.
This bill would
additionally exempt from that requirement property acquired by the department for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks, as specified, until January 1, 2033. The bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to submit a report, on or before January 1, 2028, January 1, 2030, and January 1, 2032, to the Legislature with specified content detailing the department’s use of authority granted pursuant to the bill regarding the acquisition of real property interests without the State Public Works Board.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 15853 of the Government Code and Section 5006.1 of the
Public Resources Code proposed by SB 630 to be operative only if this bill and SB 630 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Current Bill Text

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