Committee Meetings
KEQS Coverage - May 11
KESQ Reporter Garrett Hottle reports on extremely expensive Joshua tree permits
SB 1061 - Apr 21
Senate Natural Resources Committee Hearing
SB 1062 - Apr 21
Senate Natural Resources Committee Hearing
SB 1063 - Apr 21
Senate Natural Resources Committee Hearing
AB 1663 - Apr 23
AB 1663 - Apr 23
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife
AB 1808 - Apr 20
AB 1663 - Apr 23
Assembly Natural Resources
AB 1808 - Apr 14
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife
California Insider - 2025
How Joshua Tree Protection Law Is Impacting Cities w/Curtis Yakimow and Madelaine LaVoie
Updates on 2026 Legislative Fixes
AB 1663 (Wallis)
Allows existing owner-occupied homeowners to remove up to 10 trees if needed to maintain life sustaining services such as water, sewer, or gas lines.
PASSED in committee
AB 1808 (Carrillo)
Would authorize a delegated city to authorize taking of a tree for commercial or industrial development, and permit without fees or other mitigation, removal or trimming of a tree in proximity to a residence (30’) or accessory structure (15’) or for a public works project (15’).
PASSED in committee
SB 1061 (Ochoa Bogh)
Exempts the relocation of up to 10 trees within a property or between commonly owned parcels from permitting fees. Applies to existing, owner occupied homes and multi-family only. It does not apply to vacation rental properties.
PASSED in committee
SB 1062 (Ochoa Bogh)
Reduces the costs for Western Joshua Tree permits for public utility and water projects.
PASSED in committee
SB 1063 (Ochoa Bogh)
Would create an expedited pathway for residents to obtain a permit for the taking of a Western Joshua tree, without required fees or mitigation measures, so long as the taking is related to infrastructure that provides electricity, gas, water, sewer, or telecom service or work related to wildfire hardening.
VOTED DOWN in committee