SB-949 • 2026

Environmental protection: Natural Resources Agency: resource of statewide significance: Santa Cruz Mountains.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Becker
Last action: 2026-04-14
Official status: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on actions required by the Natural Resources Agency beyond encouraging collaboration and stewardship approaches.

Protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains

This law makes the Santa Cruz Mountains a special area that needs extra protection from the state's Natural Resources Agency.

What This Bill Does

Designates the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape resource of statewide significance in California, requiring special protection.
Requires the Natural Resources Agency to encourage collaborative stewardship approaches for protecting and restoring the Santa Cruz Mountains when resources are available.

Who It Names or Affects

The people who live near or visit the Santa Cruz Mountains
The Natural Resources Agency and its departments, boards, and conservancies

Terms To Know

Natural Resources Agency: A group in California that takes care of nature and cultural things like parks and forests.
Collaborative stewardship approaches: Working together with different groups to take care of the land.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be given for protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains.
It is unclear what specific actions the Natural Resources Agency must take beyond encouraging collaboration and stewardship.

Bill History

2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2026-03-27 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 13.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 3660.) (March 24).
2026-03-11 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2026-03-11 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing March 24.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2026-02-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.
2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 949, as amended, Becker.
Environmental protection: Natural Resources Agency:
landscape
resource
of statewide significance: Santa Cruz Mountains.
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 designate the Santa Cruz Mountains, as defined, as a
landscape
resource
of statewide significance that requires special protection, as defined. The bill would require the Natural Resources Agency and its boards, departments, and conservancies, to the extent that resources are available, and when appropriate, to encourage collaborative stewardship approaches that support the protection, restoration, and preservation of
the Santa Cruz Mountains, among other things.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Santa Cruz Mountains covering portions of the Counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF