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SB-287 • 2026

California Trails Conservancy Program.

California Trails Conservancy Program.

Budget
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Arreguín
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify exact funding amounts or future legislative details beyond intent.

California Trails Program

The bill establishes a new program called the California Trails Conservancy Program, which aims to improve and expand environmentally sound trails and greenways in California.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes the California Trails Conservancy Program within the Natural Resources Agency.
  • Sets goals for the program such as promoting enhanced and expanded environmentally sound greenways and trail networks.
  • Allows the agency to form an ad hoc working group with specified members, including a representative from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
  • Delegates administration of the program to the Deputy Secretary for Access in the Natural Resources Agency.
  • Requires at least 35% of funding allocated by the agency to go towards projects benefiting disadvantaged communities.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Natural Resources Agency and its departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions.
  • Communities with trails and greenways in California.
  • People who work on or benefit from trail projects.

Terms To Know

Natural Resources Agency
A part of the government that takes care of nature and cultural places in California.
Disadvantaged communities
Communities facing challenges like poverty or lack of resources.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The program will only start if the Legislature gives it money.
  • It does not specify how much funding is needed for the program to begin.
  • Future laws are planned to create a specific California Trails Conservancy within this agency.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  3. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  4. 2025-05-05 California Legislative Information

    May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-25 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 5.

  6. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 838.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  7. 2025-04-04 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 22.

  8. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.

  9. 2025-03-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

  10. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on RLS.

  11. 2025-02-07 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 9.

  12. 2025-02-06 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 287, as amended, Arreguín.
California Trails Conservancy.
California Trails Conservancy Program.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.
This bill would establish in the agency the California Trails Conservancy Program. The bill would require the program to have specified purposes, including promoting enhanced and expanded environmentally sound greenways and trail networks. If the agency determines that it would benefit these purposes, the bill would authorize the agency to establish an ad hoc working group with specified members, including a representative from the Department of Parks and Recreation. The bill would authorize the agency to delegate administration of the
program to the agency’s Deputy Secretary for Access. The bill would also authorize the agency to administer funding for priority projects, as defined, through existing or new grants or competitive grant programs and would require that no less than 35% percent of the funding administered by the agency for the purposes of the program be allocated to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, as defined.
This bill would make these provisions operative only upon an appropriation by the Legislature for its purposes.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.
This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to create the California Trails Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF