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<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250AB__108996ENR</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>96</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-03-24</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-07-21</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>PASSED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-09-12</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>PASSED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-09-11</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>ENROLLED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-09-16</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>1089</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>ENR</ns0:MeasureState>
</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Carrillo</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Carrillo</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title>An act to amend Sections 1927.3 and 1927.4 of the Fish and Game Code, relating to the western Joshua tree.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>the western Joshua tree</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: industrial projects and commercial projects: tree removal and trimming.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Existing law, the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, prohibits any person or public agency from importing into the state, exporting out of the state, or taking, possessing, purchasing, or selling within the state, a western Joshua tree or any part or product of the tree, except as provided. Under existing law, the Department of Fish and Wildlife may authorize, by permit, the taking of a western Joshua tree if certain conditions are met, including, among other conditions, that the permittee mitigates all
impacts to, and the taking of, the western Joshua tree. Existing law authorizes the department to enter into an agreement with any county or city to delegate to the county or city the ability to authorize the taking of a western Joshua tree associated with developing single-family residences, multifamily residences, accessory structures, and public works projects concurrent with its approval of the project if certain conditions are met. Existing law authorizes any person or public agency receiving a take authorization for a project to pay specified fees in lieu of satisfying the mitigation obligation on several bases, including if the project receives a permit issued by a county or city.
</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would additionally authorize the department to enter into an agreement with any city to delegate to the city the ability to authorize the taking of western Joshua trees associated with developing commercial and industrial projects. The bill would, relative to other project
types subject to delegated local mitigation authority, limit the bases for commercial or industrial projects to pay specified fees in lieu of satisfying the mitigation obligation, as provided.</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Existing law authorizes the department to issue a permit to authorize either the removal or trimming of a dead western Joshua tree or the trimming of a live western Joshua tree.
</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would remove the reference to a dead or live western Joshua tree, thereby authorizing the department to issue a permit to authorize either the removal or trimming of any western Joshua tree.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law authorizes the department to issue a permit for these purposes, without the payment of fees or other mitigation, provided that a dead western Joshua tree or any limbs to be removed meet at least one of a specified list of conditions.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would revise and recast this provision to instead authorize the department to issue a permit, without the payment of fees or other mitigation, if either the western Joshua tree is located within 100 feet of an existing single-family home and any associated accessory structure or that removal or trimming is necessary for the homeowner to meet defensible space requirements, as provided.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_6ED2FD5C-AC80-49B2-A761-0E0F44BB7106">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 1927.3 of the
<ns0:DocName>Fish and Game Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_6FE2E9F7-7F59-44F8-AC4D-1E8F8CB9C81A">
<ns0:Num>1927.3.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may authorize, by permit, the taking of a western Joshua tree if all of the following conditions are met:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The permittee submits to the department for its approval a census of all western Joshua trees on the project site, including size information and photographs, that categorize the western Joshua trees according to the following size classes:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Less than one meter in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One meter or greater but less than five meters in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Five meters or greater in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The permittee avoids and minimizes impacts to, and the taking of, the western Joshua tree to the maximum extent practicable. Minimization may include trimming, encroachment on root systems, relocation, or other actions that result in detrimental but nonlethal impacts to a western Joshua tree.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The permittee mitigates all impacts to, and taking of, the western Joshua tree. The measures required to meet this obligation shall be roughly proportional in extent to the impact of the authorized taking of the species. When various measures are available to meet this obligation, the measures required shall maintain the permittee’s objectives to the greatest extent possible. All required measures shall be capable of successful implementation. The permittee shall ensure adequate
funding to implement the mitigation measures. In lieu of completing the mitigation obligation on its own, the permittee may elect to satisfy this mitigation obligation by paying fees, pursuant to the fee schedule in subdivision (d) or (e), for deposit into the fund.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may include permit conditions that require the permittee to relocate one or more of the western Joshua trees. If relocation is required, the permittee shall implement measures to assist the survival of relocated trees, and to comply with any other reasonable measures required by the department to facilitate the successful relocation and survival of the western Joshua trees. These relocation measures shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A requirement
that the relocated western Joshua tree is placed in a location and with proper orientation to improve its survival.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A requirement that western Joshua trees are relocated at a time that maximizes their survival when feasible.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A requirement that a desert native plant specialist be onsite to oversee relocation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may limit relocation to certain size classes of trees.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
By July 1, 2024, the department shall adopt guidelines and relocation protocols, based on the best available science, to relocate western Joshua trees successfully. The department shall consult with desert native plant specialists as part of the development of these
guidelines and relocation protocols. Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code shall not apply to the development, adoption, or amendment of guidelines and relocation protocols pursuant to this subparagraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of this section, each western Joshua tree stem or trunk arising from the ground shall be considered an individual tree requiring mitigation, regardless of its proximity to any other western Joshua tree stem or trunk.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If all of the conditions of paragraph (3) are met, the department may enter into an agreement with any county to delegate to the county the ability to authorize the taking of a western Joshua tree associated with developing any one or more of the
following projects concurrent with the county’s approval of the project:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Single-family residences.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Multifamily residences.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Accessory structures.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Public works projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If all of the conditions of paragraph (3) are met, the department may enter into an agreement with any city to delegate to the city the ability to authorize the taking of a western Joshua tree associated with developing any one or more of the following projects concurrent with the city’s approval of the project:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Single-family residences.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Multifamily residences.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Accessory structures.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Public works projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Commercial projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Industrial projects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The delegation of authority pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be subject to all of the following conditions:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The county or city adopts an ordinance that requires as a condition of any approval or permit issued under the authority of an agreement entered into pursuant to this subdivision satisfaction of the requirements of this
chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Except as provided otherwise in this subdivision, the county or city ensures that the permittee satisfies all of the requirements of subdivision (a) of this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The project will take no more than 10 individual western Joshua trees on the project site where the project proponent proposes to construct a single-family residence, multifamily residence, accessory structure, commercial project, or industrial project, or no more than 40 individual western Joshua trees on the project site on which a public agency proposes to undertake a public works project. Before authorizing the take of more than 20, but no more than 40, individual western Joshua trees for a public works project, the county or city shall obtain the department’s written concurrence that the
project has avoided and minimized the take of western Joshua trees to the maximum extent practicable.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The county or city shall collect any fees for permits issued and remit them quarterly to the fund as directed by the department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The county or city entering into an agreement pursuant to this subdivision may impose a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs of issuing the permit.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department retains express authority to suspend or revoke the county or city’s take authorization in the event the department determines the county or city has violated the terms of the agreement, or this chapter, the county or city fails to implement or enforce the terms of the agreement or this chapter, or
the department determines that the local population of western Joshua trees within, or in the vicinity of, that county or city needs further protection. The county or city shall conduct an annual assessment of the status of the local population within the county or city and submit the assessment to the department. The department shall determine if the population needs further protection to provide for the conservation of the species.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall adopt standardized survey and assessment methods for the annual assessment required pursuant to clause (i), including requiring that a desert native plant specialist conduct the assessment. Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code shall not apply to the development, adoption, or amendment of standardized survey and assessment methods
pursuant to this subparagraph.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The county or city shall be required to submit to the department quarterly reports documenting the number of permits issued, photographs and other evidence demonstrating that take and other impacts were avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable, the number and size class of western Joshua trees authorized to be taken, the number of western Joshua trees encroached upon, the number of western Joshua trees lethally removed, the number and location of western Joshua trees relocated, the amount of fees collected, and other information required by the department in the agreement.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any person or public agency receiving a take authorization pursuant to this chapter for a project that meets the criteria of either subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1) or subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) may elect, in lieu of satisfying the mitigation obligation provided for in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), to pay fees in the amounts provided in paragraph (2) for deposit into the fund.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any project in the area bounded by the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 58, then east along Highway 58 to the intersection of Interstate 15, then north along Interstate 15 to the intersection of Highway 247, then south along Highway 247 to the intersection of Highway 18, then west along Highway 18 to the intersection of Highway 138, then west and north along Highway 138 to the intersection of Interstate 5, then north along Interstate 5 to the intersection of Highway 99, then north along Highway 99 to Highway 58.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any single-family residence, multifamily residence, accessory structure, or public works project receiving a permit issued by a county or city pursuant to an agreement with the department pursuant to subdivision (c), regardless of location.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One thousand dollars ($1,000) for each western Joshua tree five meters or greater in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Two hundred dollars ($200) for each western Joshua tree one meter or greater but less than five meters in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each western Joshua tree less than one meter in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any person or public agency receiving a take authorization pursuant to this
chapter for a project that meets the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) may elect, in lieu of satisfying the mitigation obligation provided for in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), to pay fees in the amounts provided in paragraph (2) for deposit into the fund.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), any project within two miles of Joshua Tree National Park, or any unit of the state park system.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any project that does not meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each western Joshua tree five meters or greater in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Five hundred dollars ($500) for each western Joshua tree one meter or greater but less than five meters in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Three hundred forty dollars ($340) for each western Joshua tree less than one meter in height.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Upon request, the department may authorize a reduction in the amount of the fees prescribed by subdivisions (d) and (e) for any western Joshua tree conserved by a project proponent through the acquisition of compensatory habitat mitigation land otherwise required by law for the project.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The permittee shall bear responsibility for implementing measures to assist the survival of western Joshua trees relocated pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Unless specifically required by written agreement, a landowner that agrees in writing to allow western Joshua trees to be relocated onto land it owns shall not be liable for the continued survival of the western Joshua trees, shall not be required to manage or maintain the translocated western Joshua trees, and shall not be required to change existing land use practices, provided that the land use practices do not result in the taking, possession, sale, or further translocation of the western Joshua trees.
</html:p>
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</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_D980896C-2700-4D29-92F0-416175C84C07">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 1927.4 of the
<ns0:DocName>Fish and Game Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_14726D5A-A57D-4967-8AE0-1A01DFE0A9C9">
<ns0:Num>1927.4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_06B72AFA-F230-4A9F-949C-EB63137F5020">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may issue a permit to authorize either the removal or trimming of a western Joshua tree.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Upon receipt of a permit and payment of any applicable administrative fees, a property owner or its agent may remove a detached dead western Joshua tree or the detached limb of a western Joshua tree. All other removals
and all trimming of a western Joshua tree authorized by permits issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be completed by a desert native plant specialist.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may issue a permit pursuant to this section, without payment of fees or other mitigation, provided that
either of the following apply:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A dead western Joshua tree or any limb to be removed meets one of the
following conditions:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Has fallen over and is within 30 feet of a structure.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Is leaning against an existing structure.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Creates an imminent threat to public health or safety.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A western Joshua tree is located within 100 feet of an existing single-family home and any associated accessory structure,
and removal or trimming is necessary for the homeowner to meet defensible space requirements pursuant to Section 51182 of the Government Code, Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code, or a local ordinance. Subdivision (c) of Section 21080.49 of the Public Resources Code applies to all permits issued by the department to the homeowner, pursuant to this subparagraph, for the removal or trimming of any western Joshua tree within 100 feet of a structure in the state responsibility area, and high and very high fire hazard severity zones in the local responsibility area.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A property owner seeking a permit pursuant to this subdivision shall submit a permit request to the department on a form to be provided by the department that requires the following information:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The name, telephone number, mailing address, and email address of the property owner
seeking the permit.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The street address of the property on which the western Joshua
tree
to be removed or trimmed is located. If no street address is available, the property owner shall include the assessor’s parcel number.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Photographs of the western Joshua tree that visually depict the dead tree or the
tree to be trimmed and that demonstrate that the western Joshua tree meets one or more of the requirements of paragraph (2).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A signed attestation from the property owner or signed certification by a desert native plant specialist that the tree meets the definition of a dead western Joshua tree.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Within 30 days of receipt of a request for a permit pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A), or subparagraph (B), of paragraph (2), the department shall either issue a permit allowing for the removal or trimming, or deny the request if the request does not demonstrate a permit can be issued
pursuant to this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Within 10 days of receipt of a request for a permit pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2), the department shall either issue a permit allowing for the removal or trimming, or deny the request if the request does not demonstrate a permit can be issued pursuant to this section.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If the department issues a permit, it shall provide the property owner 60 days in which to complete the removal or trimming. The department may extend this 60-day period in writing at its discretion.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
If the department denies the permit request, the property owner may resubmit the
request with additional information and photographs. Resubmissions pursuant to this subdivision shall be processed as new permit requests.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Within 30 days of completing the removal or trimming of one or more western Joshua trees in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to this section, the property owner shall submit, by mail or email, photographs of the site at which the western Joshua
tree was removed or trimmed pursuant to the permit.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department may enter into an agreement with any county or city to delegate to the county or city the ability to authorize the removal or trimming of a dead western Joshua tree or the trimming of a live western Joshua tree, provided that the
county or city ensures that all permits issued satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a). The county or city shall be required to submit to the department quarterly reports documenting the number of permits issued, the number and size class of a western Joshua tree authorized to be removed or trimmed, and any other information specified in the agreement with the department. A county or city entering into an agreement pursuant to this subdivision may impose a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs of issuing the permit.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department retains express authority to suspend or revoke an agreement with any
county or city to delegate to the county or city the ability to authorize the removal or trimming of a dead western Joshua tree or the trimming of a live western Joshua tree in the event the department determines the county or city has violated the terms of the agreement or this chapter, the county or city fails to implement or enforce the terms of the agreement or this chapter, or the local population of
western Joshua trees within, or in the vicinity of, that county or city needs further protection. A county or city that has entered into an agreement with the department shall conduct an annual assessment of the status of the local population of western Joshua trees within the county or city and submit the assessment to the department. The department shall determine if the population needs further protection to provide for the conservation of the species.
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(2)
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The department shall adopt standardized survey and assessment methods for the annual assessment required pursuant to paragraph (1), including requiring that a desert native plant specialist conduct the assessment. Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code shall not apply to the development, adoption, or amendment of standardized survey and assessment methods pursuant to this paragraph.
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