SB1250 - State highway system: wildlife connectivity.

Enrolled August 28, 2026 Passed IN Senate August 26, 2026 Passed IN Assembly August 24, 2026 Amended IN Assembly August 19, 2026 Amended IN Assembly August 13, 2026 Amended IN Senate May 14, 2026 Amended IN Senate March 26, 2026 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 1250 Introduced by Senator Cortese (Coauthors: Senators Blakespear and Stern) February 19, 2026 An act to add Section 14526.4.1 to the Government Code, and to amend Sections 158.1, 158.5, and 164.6 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1250, Cortese. State highway system: wildlife connectivity. 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 (SHOPP). This bill would require the department, in connection with each revision of the asset management plan, to prepare and publish a supplemental list of wildlife connectivity improvements on the state highway system, as specified, and would require the department to submit the supplemental list to the commission for review and comments before the final list is published. 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. This bill would explicitly require Caltrans to undertake this duty, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and with opportunities for the public to provide data and input for consideration, as specified. Existing law requires 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. This bill would instead require Caltrans, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, to assess potential barriers to wildlife 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. The bill would require the biennial update to the inventory to be based on an analysis of transportation assets within priority route segments identified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill would require Caltrans to consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife on the development of each update to the inventory, as prescribed. Existing law requires Caltrans to prepare a State Highway System Management Plan (SHSMP), which includes a 10-year rehabilitation plan for the rehabilitation or reconstruction by the SHOPP of all state highways and bridges, and a 5-year maintenance plan that addresses the maintenance needs of the state highway system, as provided. Existing law requires the SHSMP to include specific quantifiable accomplishments, goals, objectives, costs, and performance measures consistent with the asset management plan described above. Existing law requires the SHSMP to be updated every 2 years. This bill would require Caltrans to include wildlife connectivity as an objective in the SHSMP. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 14526.4.1 is added to the Government Code, to read: 14526.4.1. (a) In connection with each four-year revision of the asset management plan, the department shall prepare a supplemental list of wildlife connectivity improvements on the state highway system and shall publish the supplemental list on its internet website. The supplemental list shall be informed by the asset management plan and the inventory and project information prepared pursuant to Sections 158.1 and 158.2 of the Streets and Highways Code. (b) The supplemental list shall include both of the following: (1) Wildlife connectivity improvements identified for implementation on the state highway system pursuant to Sections 158.1 and 158.2 of the Streets and Highways Code. (2) Wildlife connectivity improvements completed on or after January 1, 2023, that address wildlife connectivity needs identified pursuant to Article 3.8 (commencing with Section 158) of Chapter 1 of Division 1 of the Streets and Highways Code. (c) For each wildlife connectivity improvement included in the supplemental list, the department shall provide, at a minimum, its location, the type and condition of the relevant transportation infrastructure, a description of the wildlife connectivity barriers addressed or proposed to be addressed, and applicable performance objectives or measures contained in the State Highway System Management Plan or the asset management plan. This subdivision does not require the department to independently assess the condition of natural landscapes, wildlife, habitat, or other factors unrelated to the transportation infrastructure or improvement. (d) The department shall submit the supplemental list to the commission for review and comments before the final list is published on the department’s internet website. (e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Asset management plan” means the asset management plan prepared pursuant to Section 14526.4. (2) “Wildlife connectivity improvement” means a physical infrastructure improvement on or within the right-of-way of transportation infrastructure that facilitates wildlife passage across transportation infrastructure and reduces wildlife-vehicle collisions, while improving safety and operations for all users. SEC. 2. Section 158.1 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 158.1. (a) 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 and 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. (b) In consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, the department shall assess potential barriers to wildlife 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. In establishing the inventory, the department, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other appropriate agencies, shall consider all of the following factors: (1) The ability of wildlife passage features to enhance connectivity and permeability within a connectivity area or natural landscape area. (2) The logistics surrounding implementation of wildlife passage features, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (A) The cost effectiveness of implementing wildlife passage features through associated transportation projects. (B) The ease or capability of facilitating necessary land acquisitions to provide an ecological buffer. (C) Public support for associated transportation projects. (D) The ability of wildlife passage features to facilitate continued functional wildlife movement or improved public safety outcomes into the future. (3) Whether the implementation of wildlife passage features would do any of the following: (A) Substantially increase climate-resilient wildlife connectivity. (B) Substantially decrease the likelihood of collisions between wildlife and vehicles. (C) Contribute to the survival or recovery of any species or population of a species, including, but not limited to: (i) 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.). (ii) 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). (iii) Species at risk from highways and habitat fragmentation. (4) Any other relevant considerations, as determined by the department. (c) (1) No later than July 1, 2024, the department shall develop and publish, on the department’s internet website, the inventory established pursuant to subdivision (b). The department shall update the inventory biennially, based on an analysis of transportation assets within priority route segments identified by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and may update the inventory more often, as needed. (2) (A) Upon commencing preparation of the inventory or an update to the inventory, but no later than six months before its anticipated publication, the department shall notify, and initiate consultation with, the Department of Fish and Wildlife. (B) During preparation of the inventory or an update to the inventory, the departments shall meet at least once during initial development and once before release of the draft, unless they mutually agree otherwise. (C) At least 90 days before anticipated publication, the department shall provide the Department of Fish and Wildlife with the draft inventory or update to the inventory and solicit its comments. The Department of Fish and Wildlife shall have at least 30 days after receiving the draft to provide initial comments and may provide relevant supplemental information before publication. The departments shall consult before publication. Before finalizing the inventory or update to the inventory, the department shall provide the Department of Fish and Wildlife with a written summary of how significant comments were addressed. (d) 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. SEC. 3. Section 158.5 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 158.5. (a) 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: (1) Developing and publishing an inventory of wildlife connectivity needs on the state highway system pursuant to Section 158.1. (2) Assessing transportation projects in connectivity areas for wildlife connectivity impacts pursuant to Section 158.2. (3) Implementing wildlife connectivity improvements on transportation projects pursuant to Section 158.2. (4) 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. (5) Implementing the Transportation Wildlife Connectivity Remediation Program pursuant to Section 158.4. (6) Funding wildlife connectivity improvements, including total funding amount by fund source for these improvements and a list of improvements that have been funded since January 1, 2023. (b) The report shall also include information regarding both of the following: (1) A description of the consultation and concurrence process between the department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other appropriate entities. (2) Significant accomplishments or obstacles to meeting the objectives of the article. (c) 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. SEC. 4. Section 164.6 of the Streets and Highways Code is amended to read: 164.6. (a) (1) The department shall prepare a State Highway System Management Plan. The plan shall include a 10-year state highway system rehabilitation plan for the rehabilitation or reconstruction, or the combination thereof, by the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, of all state highways and bridges owned by the state. The plan shall identify all rehabilitation needs for the 10-year period beginning on July 1, 1998, and ending on June 30, 2008, and shall include a schedule of improvements to complete all needed rehabilitation during the life of the plan not later than June 30, 2008. The plan shall be updated every two years beginning in 2000. (2) The State Highway System Management Plan shall also include a five-year maintenance plan that addresses the maintenance needs of the state highway system. The maintenance plan shall be updated every two years, concurrent with the rehabilitation plan described in paragraph (1). The maintenance plan shall include only maintenance activities that, if the activities are not performed, could result in increased State Highway Operation and Protection Program costs in the future. The maintenance plan shall identify any existing backlog in those maintenance activities and shall recommend a strategy, specific activities, and an associated funding level to reduce or prevent any backlog during the plan’s five-year period. (b) (1) The State Highway System Management Plan shall include specific quantifiable accomplishments, goals, objectives, costs, and performance measures, including for complete streets facilities, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, consistent with the asset management plan required by Section 14526.4 of the Government Code. The plan shall contain strategies to control costs and improve efficiency of the State Highway Operation and Protection Program. (2) In 2027, as feasible, and continuing thereafter, the State Highway System Management Plan shall include specific quantifiable accomplishments, goals, objectives, costs, and performance measures for transit priority facilities, consistent with the asset management plan required by Section 14526.4 of the Government Code and the department’s transit policy an [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]