All Roll Calls
Yes: 157 • No: 30
CaliforniaAB 1492025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Budget Act of 2025.
Sponsored By: Jesse Gabriel (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.
More funding for coasts and invasives
The law provides major funding for resilience and invasive‑species work. The Ocean Protection Council can receive $135 million for climate‑resilient coasts and oceans, with a focus on habitat, wildlife, fisheries, and research infrastructure (upon appropriation). The Department of Food and Agriculture can receive $20 million for invasive‑species projects (upon appropriation). For 2025–26, $20 million is appropriated now to fight invasive mussels, including the golden mussel.
Grants for farm equipment sharing
The state creates a pilot to help regions share farm equipment and build cooperatives. It gives grants and technical help, not loans. Preference goes to socially disadvantaged and limited‑resource farmers and ranchers. Eligible groups include resource conservation districts, UC Cooperative Extension, tribes, farmer co-ops, and nonprofits. The program runs only if funded and ends January 1, 2030.
More permanent firefighters when funded
CAL FIRE must add permanent firefighters when the Legislature provides money. It must also keep the ability to hire seasonal and temporary crews for surges. This strengthens wildfire response and public safety.
Fines up to $1,000 for violations
Breaking invasive mussel rules can cost you money. The department can fine up to $1,000 per violation after it adopts penalty rules. Violating reservoir prevention requirements can also bring a civil fine up to $1,000 per violation. These fines are in place of other penalties for the same offense.
Boater fees fund reservoir prevention grants
Boater fees go into the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund. After admin costs, at least 85% of remaining money must go to grants. Reservoir managers that allow recreation can get grants to cover reasonable costs of their mussel prevention plans. Plans that follow state guides and include visual and manual inspections get priority. Grant recipients must report data on how they used the funds. Some fee money also supports Department of Boating and Waterways programs by law.
Stronger state powers against invasive mussels
It is illegal to possess or move invasive mussels unless the state allows it. Wildlife officers can stop and inspect vehicles, boats, trailers, and containers. They can order draining, drying, or decontamination, impound or quarantine gear, and close waters if needed (with the Natural Resources Secretary’s sign‑off and 10‑day updates after the first 7 days). The department can delegate these powers and most salt or hot‑water decontamination is exempt from CEQA. Chemical treatments still follow CEQA. These powers end January 1, 2030 unless extended. The law defines which species count as invasive mussels and aligns that definition across codes.
Reservoirs and water systems must plan
Reservoirs open to recreation must assess mussel risks and run prevention programs with public education, monitoring, and activity management. Nonrecreation reservoirs must add visual checks as staff and resources allow. Reservoir managers can refuse fish plantings unless the state shows no mussel‑introduction risk. Water supply operators must prepare and carry out approved control or eradication plans when mussels are found, with mapping, methods, monitoring, and inspections. The department reviews all approved plans by December 31, 2026. Plans must cover species known on January 1, 2026 by September 30, 2027, and add any new listed species within 180 days. If an operator follows an approved plan, they are shielded from civil or criminal liability for introductions from their operations. Anyone who discovers mussels must report it immediately.
Faster approvals and notices for 2028 Games
Building temporary Olympic and Paralympic facilities is exempt from CEQA if the site is fully removed and restored within six months after the Games. Any confirmed change to competition venue locations must be posted on the organizers’ official website and in a local news outlet. These steps speed temporary projects and improve public notice.
Faster rules and stronger spending oversight
State agencies can use emergency rules to set program guidelines and selection criteria for covered programs. The Department of Finance must arrange independent audits of spending. If problems are found, the State Auditor or Controller can audit funded activities. The Natural Resources Agency must publish an annual list and spreadsheet of all project spending, with locations, goals, status, and costs. State grant makers must require recipients to report how funds were spent.
Higher boat fees and mussel sticker
Boat owners pay new and higher fees. A first-time vessel number adds $9. Original registrations add $10 in even years or $20 in odd years. Renewals cost $20 every two years. You must also pay a separate invasive mussel prevention fee to get a state sticker. The DMV issues the sticker after payment. You can be cited for using a recreational boat in nonmarine waters without the sticker. Some vessels are exempt under state rules (Title 14, §5211).
New boat fee funds mussel prevention
Starting in 2026, most boat owners must pay an invasive mussel prevention fee. In even-numbered years the fee is $15 to $21. In odd-numbered years it is $30 to $42 and adjusts for inflation every odd year. Boats used only in marine waters are exempt. The money goes into the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund and, once the Legislature appropriates it, can be used only for prevention work and related grants.
Bond oversight costs paid from bonds
The law pays for publications, audits, bond tracking, cash management, and oversight using bond proceeds. Each funded program shares these costs in proportion to its bond funding. Administration costs for nongrant programs also come from bond proceeds.
Coastal permit waiver for 2028 Olympics
Temporary development for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games does not need a local coastal permit if done by the IOC, IPC, or LA organizing committee. The waiver lasts only until the temporary work is removed and no later than December 31, 2028. It does not apply to projects meant to stay after that date. Projects must avoid and minimize major harm to coastal resources when feasible.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jesse Gabriel
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/12/2025
Item 1000 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 61 • No: 13
Senate vote • 9/12/2025
Item 74 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 30 • No: 0
legislature vote • 9/10/2025
Vote in CS62
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2025
Item 79 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 53 • No: 17
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 106, Statutes of 2025.
9/17/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
9/17/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:45 p.m.
9/12/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 61. Noes 13. Page 3362.).
9/12/2025HouseAssembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 20. Page 3360.)
9/12/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/12/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 0. Page 2949.).
9/12/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/11/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 10).
9/10/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
9/9/2025SenateSenate Rule 29.3(b) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)
9/9/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
9/8/2025SenateSenate Rule 29.3(b) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)
9/8/2025SenateReferred to Com. on B. & F. R.
4/2/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3/20/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 737.)
3/20/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
3/18/2025House(Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 643.)
3/17/2025HouseOrdered to second reading.
3/17/2025HouseWithdrawn from committee.
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Com. on BUDGET.
2/3/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee February 8.
1/9/2025HouseRead first time. To print.
1/8/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
9/17/2025
Enrolled
9/12/2025
Amended Senate
9/9/2025
Amended Senate
9/8/2025
Introduced
1/8/2025