SB-1286 • 2026

California State Library: study: state pinniped.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Richardson
Last action: 2026-04-17
Official status: Set for hearing April 27.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify how public consultation will be conducted or if there are specific guidelines for the study.

California Sea Lion as Official State Pinniped

This law makes the California sea lion the official state pinniped and requires a study to find the best candidate for this title, with recommendations due by January 1, 2028.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the California sea lion as the official state pinniped.
Requires the California State Library to conduct a study on the best candidate for the official state pinniped title in consultation with the public.
Needs the library to give a report with their findings and suggestions by January 1, 2028.

Who It Names or Affects

The California State Library
People who care about state symbols

Terms To Know

pinniped: A type of marine mammal, like seals and sea lions.

Limits and Unknowns

The law will end on January 1, 2032.
It does not specify what happens if the library's report recommends a different pinniped than the California sea lion.

Bill History

2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 27.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. pursuant to Joint Rule 10.5.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 14).
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on G.O.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1286, as amended, Richardson.
State pinniped.
California State Library: study: state pinniped.
Existing law establishes the state flag and the state’s emblems, including, among other things, the California Grizzly Bear as the state animal, the California gray whale as the state marine mammal, and the Pacific leatherback sea turtle as the state marine reptile.
Existing law establishes the California State Library within the state government and vests control of the library to the State Librarian. Existing law authorizes the California State Library to serve as the central reference and research library for the departments of state government and maintain adequate legislative reference and research library services for the Legislature.
This bill would establish the California sea lion as the official state pinniped. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
This bill would require the California State Library to conduct a study, in consultation with the public, on the best candidate for the official state pinniped. The bill would require the California State Library, on or before January 1, 2028, to submit a report to the Legislature with the California State Library’s recommendations based on the study, as provided. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2032.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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