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: 2026-06-09
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on funding or exact actions required by the Natural Resources Agency.

Protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains

This law designates the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape resource of statewide significance that needs special protection.

What This Bill Does

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

Who It Names or Affects

The people who live in or visit the Santa Cruz Mountains
The Natural Resources Agency and its departments

Terms To Know

Natural Resources Agency: A group of government offices that work to protect California's natural and cultural resources.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact actions or funding for protecting the Santa Cruz Mountains.
It is unclear what specific steps the Natural Resources Agency must take, only that they should encourage protection when appropriate.

Bill History

2026-06-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-05-07 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-05-07 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 35. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
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

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