Assemblymember Greg Wallis Hits “Payday’ with Joshua Tree Legislation

SACRAMENTO — For some state lawmakers, this time of year is like a ‘payday’ for their hard work.  It’s when Gov. Gavain Newsom signs select bills into law.

Gov. Newsom has signed my legislation to make the rules for dead Joshua Trees more practical for desert communities and broaden the state’s agreements with California Native American tribes on the Western Joshua Tree.

The Joshua Tree is an iconic part of our desert and the rules that protect it should make sense for the people who live alongside them.

Wallis’ bill, Assembly Bill 1663, simplifies the existing no-fee permit process for hazardous Joshua Trees. Property owners can now have an authorized agent, such as a contractor or property manager, handle the permit process without an additional certification. A homeowner with a dead tree leaning on the house can now get a permit without extra hoops.

The bill also expands the state’s existing authority to work with California Native American tribes on the cultural use of Western Joshua Trees, including the purchase and sale of trees for tribal cultural purposes.

Gov. Newsom also signed Assemblymember Juan Carrillo’s legislation, AB 1808, which makes additional changes to the Joshua Tree permitting process for certain homeowners, public works, commercial and industrial projects.

These two bills make it a lot easier for families, businesses and local governments to work with the state, and they do it without weakening the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. Our desert can keep moving forward, and the Joshua Tree will still be standing for generations to come.