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<ns0:Id>20250SB__125099INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1250</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Cortese</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Cortese</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 14526.4 of the Government Code, and to amend Sections 158.1 and 158.5 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>transportation</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>State highway system: wildlife connectivity.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>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. Existing law requires the commission, in connection with the plan, to adopt targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the targets and performance measures adopted by the commission to include targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives for wildlife connectivity assets that reflect the need for new assets and conditions of existing
assets that improve or maintain the connectivity of wildlife crossings. This bill would require Caltrans to include wildlife connectivity assets in the asset management plan.</html:p>
<html:p>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.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would explicitly require Caltrans to undertake this duty.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law requires the 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.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would instead require Caltrans to jointly establish and update this inventory with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.</html:p>
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<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_60586CAE-76AA-423B-9F9D-2906A23C125D">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 14526.4 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>14526.4.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
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The department, in consultation with the commission, shall prepare a robust asset management plan to guide selection of projects for the state highway operation and protection program required by Section 14526.5. The asset management plan shall be consistent with any applicable state and federal requirements.
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<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall include complete streets assets in the asset management plan, including pedestrian, bicycle, and transit priority facilities on the state highway system that are not required under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall include wildlife connectivity assets in the asset management plan, including, but not limited to, wildlife crossings, improved culverts and bridges, habitat corridors, and fencing guiding animals to crossings.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In connection with the asset management plan, the commission shall do both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Adopt targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives, including for both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
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Complete streets assets that reflect the existence and conditions of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit priority facilities on the state highway system.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Wildlife connectivity assets that reflect the need for new assets and conditions of existing assets that improve or maintain the connectivity of wildlife crossings.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
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Review and approve the asset management plan.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section,
the following definitions apply:
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<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Asset management plan” means a document assessing the health and condition of the state highway system with which the department is able to determine the most effective way to apply the state’s limited resources.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Wildlife connectivity asset” means an asset that links fragmented habitats, reduces roadkill, maintains species movements, or improves overall ecosystem health, while improving road safety and operations for all users.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 158.1 of the
<ns0:DocName>Streets and Highways Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>158.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_FCD5B9D6-395B-4E44-8DF9-685FF4587AF7">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall 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.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In consultation with other appropriate agencies, the department and the Department and Fish and Wildlife shall jointly 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. In establishing the inventory, the department and
the Department of Fish and
Wildlife, in consultation with other appropriate agencies, shall consider all of the following factors:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The ability of wildlife passage features to enhance connectivity and permeability within a connectivity area or natural landscape area.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The logistics surrounding implementation of wildlife passage features, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The cost effectiveness of implementing wildlife passage features through associated transportation projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The ease or capability of facilitating necessary land acquisitions to provide an ecological buffer.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Public support for associated transportation projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The ability of wildlife passage features to facilitate continued functional wildlife movement or improved public safety outcomes into the future.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Whether the implementation of wildlife passage features would do any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Substantially increase climate-resilient wildlife connectivity.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Substantially decrease the likelihood of collisions between wildlife and vehicles.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Contribute to the survival or recovery of any species or population of a species, including, but not limited to:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Species listed as a threatened species or endangered species pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Species listed as a candidate species, threatened species, or endangered species pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Species at risk from highways and habitat fragmentation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any other relevant considerations, as determined by the department and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No
later than July 1, 2024, the department and the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall jointly develop and publish, on the department’s internet website, the inventory established pursuant to subdivision (b). The department
and the Department of Fish and Wildlife
shall jointly update the inventory biennially, at a minimum, and may jointly update the inventory more often, as needed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No later than July 1, 2024, the department shall develop and publish, on its internet website, a list of funded transportation projects with wildlife passage features that address wildlife connectivity needs. The department shall update the project list biennially, at a minimum, and may update the list more often, as
needed.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 158.5 of the
<ns0:DocName>Streets and Highways Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_E9E5EABA-9420-4676-A7D8-1AC03FAA4E29">
<ns0:Num>158.5.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall submit a report to the relevant policy committees and the budget committees of the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, on or before July 1, 2028, on the implementation of this article. The report shall include recommendations for this article and describe the status of the department’s progress in doing all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Jointly developing an inventory of wildlife connectivity needs with the Department of Fish and
Wildlife on the state highway system pursuant to Section 158.1.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Assessing transportation projects in connectivity areas for wildlife connectivity impacts pursuant to Section 158.2.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Implementing wildlife connectivity improvements on transportation projects pursuant to Section 158.2.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Updating appropriate design guidance, including the Highway Design Manual, to incorporate design concepts for wildlife passage features and related standard plans and specifications pursuant to Section 158.3.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Implementing the Transportation Wildlife Connectivity Remediation Program pursuant to Section 158.4.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Funding wildlife connectivity improvements, including total
funding amount by fund source for these improvements and a list of improvements that have been funded since September 30, 2022.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The report shall also include information regarding both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A description of the consultation and concurrence process between the department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other appropriate entities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Significant accomplishments or obstacles to meeting the objectives of the article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall
become inoperative on July 1, 2032, and, as of January 1, 2033, is repealed.
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