Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) announced that two of her three-bill package to reform the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act advanced out of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, while a third measure was rejected.
Senate Bill 1061 and Senate Bill 1062 passed the committee with amendments and will move forward in the legislative process. Senate Bill 1063 did not receive enough support to advance.
“My bill package aimed to bring balance back to the law by clarifying definitions, streamlining compliance, and ensuring that families are not blocked from accessing basic, life-sustaining services like water, electricity, and sewer,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “I’m grateful that SB 1061 and SB 1062 are moving forward, but I am deeply disappointed that SB 1063 did not pass. That bill would have helped homeowners who are simply trying to maintain their property and access basic services without unnecessary delays. I will keep working to address these barriers.”
The Western Joshua tree is a native species found throughout California’s high desert. Current implementation has created challenges for residents and agencies seeking to carry out routine maintenance and infrastructure projects necessary to maintain safe and habitable communities.
Bill Package
SB 1061 – Western Joshua Tree: Clarifying “Take” and Streamlining Compliance
SB 1061 streamlines the permitting process by creating a permit option for homeowners to relocate up to 10 Western Joshua trees without payment of fees or other mitigation requirements under certain conditions. This new relocation permitting option is intended to provide flexibility and financial relief for residents, and clarify that a tree relocation that does not result in a net loss of trees is not a true “take” in the traditional way that it applies to wildlife.
SB 1062 – Western Joshua Tree: Take Permit: Fees
SB 1062 makes a commonsense change to the WJTCA by requiring that the Department of Fish & Wildlife consider setting mitigation fees that are proportionate to the actual impact of a project when they conduct the annual adjustment of the fee schedule. This can include using a tiered system of fees that may be based on project types, size, or other criteria to ensure that projects with a limited impact aren’t unfairly carrying the same financial burden as highly invasive or disruptive projects.
SB 1063 – Western Joshua Tree: Life Sustaining Services: Take Permit
SB 1063 would have created an expedited permitting pathway for homeowners needing to install, maintain, or repair critical infrastructure. The bill allows permits to be issued without fees or complex mitigation requirements and requires timely decisions, helping residents avoid costly delays when accessing essential utilities and wildfire safety improvements.
Together, the bills were intended to align state law with real-world conditions, reduce unnecessary regulatory delays, and improve coordination between the state and local stakeholders. The package maintains protections for the Western Joshua tree while ensuring that conservation efforts do not unintentionally compromise public health, safety, or access to basic services.
More information on the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act bill package, including detailed fact sheets and updates, is available online here.
SB 1061 and SB 1062 will now head to Senate Appropriations Committee.