CaliforniaState highway system: wildlife connectivity.
What it does
Existing law vests the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) with full possession and control of the state highway system and requires Caltrans to improve and maintain the state highways. Existing law requires Caltrans, in consultation with the California Transportation Commission, to prepare a robust asset management plan to guide selection of projects for the state highway operation and protection program (SHOPP).
More detail
This bill would require the department, in connection with each revision of the asset management plan, to prepare and publish a supplemental list of wildlife connectivity improvements on the state highway system, as specified, and would require the department to submit the supplemental list to the commission for review and comments before the final list is published.
Existing law declares the intent of the Legislature that Caltrans review the full extent of the state highway system, as currently maintained, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and with opportunities for the public to provide data input for consideration, to develop a comprehensive approach to address wildlife connectivity needs throughout the state with the goal of implementing measures that protect, conserve, and improve the state's unique wildlife, landscapes, and natural resources.
This bill would explicitly require Caltrans to undertake this duty, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and with opportunities for the public to provide data and input for consideration, as specified.
Existing law requires Caltrans, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, to establish an inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system where the implementation of wildlife passage features could reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife connectivity, and to update the inventory on a biennial basis, as specified.
This bill would instead require Caltrans, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, to assess potential barriers to wildlife to establish an inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system where the implementation of wildlife passage features could reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife connectivity. The bill would require the biennial update to the inventory to be based on an analysis of transportation assets within priority route segments identified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill would require Caltrans to consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on the development of each update to the inventory, as prescribed.
Existing law requires Caltrans to prepare a State Highway System Management Plan (SHSMP), which includes a 10-year rehabilitation plan for the rehabilitation or reconstruction by the SHOPP of all state highways and bridges, and a 5-year maintenance plan that addresses the maintenance needs of the state highway system, as provided. Existing law requires the SHSMP to include specific quantifiable accomplishments, goals, objectives, costs, and performance measures consistent with the asset management plan described above. Existing law requires the SHSMP to be updated every 2 years.
This bill would require Caltrans to include wildlife connectivity as an objective in the SHSMP.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 29Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 821, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 29Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 34. Noes 3. Page 5913.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded Unfinished Business SB1250 Cortese et al. Concurrence. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 24In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Vote recorded SB 1250 Cortese Senate Third Reading By HART. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 24Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 59. Noes 15. Page 6425.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Aug 19Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 19Read third time and amended.Major
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jun 30From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 1.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 23From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (June 22). Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.Minor
- Jun 22
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Water, Parks, and Wildlife]. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and W., P., & W.Minor
- May 20In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- May 19Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 4360.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB1250 Cortese et al. Result: pass.Upper
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 4270.) (May 14).Major
- May 8Set for hearing May 14.
- May 4May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 24Set for hearing May 4.
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 3981.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 10Set for hearing April 21.
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on N.R. & W. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3761.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.Minor
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Mar 17Set for hearing April 7.
- Mar 4Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and N.R. & W.Minor
- Feb 20From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 22.
- Feb 19Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced