AB 1987 dedicates nearly $6 million in existing revenues to maintain critical habitat and public access
(SACRAMENTO, CA) — Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) announced today that Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1987 (AB 1987), legislation that will provide a more reliable source of funding to maintain California’s State Wildlife Areas.
“California’s Wildlife Areas—like our Sacramento-area Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area managed by the Yolo Basin Foundation—are working lands for wildlife, water, and our communities,” said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry. “If these lands are generating dollars, it makes sense to put those dollars right back into taking care of them. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for signing it.”
AB 1987 requires hunter-generated user fees and agricultural lease revenues from Type A and Type B State Wildlife Areas to be reinvested in the operation and maintenance of those lands. Together, these existing revenues total nearly $6 million annually—approximately $3 million from hunting fees and $2.8 million from agricultural leases. The law creates no new taxes or fees and does not change hunting or agricultural lease costs or access. Instead, it ensures the dollars generated by these lands go back into caring for them and keeping them healthy, accessible, and productive.
California has lost more than 90 percent of its historic wetlands, making the protection of remaining wetlands more important than ever. State Wildlife Areas provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife, while also supporting hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation. Yet many of these areas face limited staffing and growing maintenance costs, including for water pumping, habitat management, mosquito abatement, and invasive species control. By providing a more reliable source of funding, AB 1987 will help ensure these lands continue to support wildlife, healthy wetlands, and outdoor opportunities for Californians.
“State Wildlife Areas have faced longstanding budgetary and staffing challenges that all too often negatively affect managed wetlands and other wildlife habitat that are relied upon by waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife species,” said Vice President of Advocacy Mark Hennelly, California Waterfowl Association. “Now that AB 1987 is signed into law, it will help address this issue by ensuring waterfowl hunting-related fees and agricultural lease revenues generated in Wildlife Areas support the maintenance and operations of those lands—rather than being redirected for other purposes.”
AB 1987 builds on California’s broader commitment to protecting and restoring wetlands, including the state’s 2024 “no net loss” policy and long-term goal of increasing wetland acreage. By creating a more dependable funding source for State Wildlife Areas, the law will help California protect critical habitat while preserving the recreational and public benefits these lands provide.
“AB 1987 is about making sure we have the resources to take care of these special places,” said Aguiar-Curry. “When we invest in our Wildlife Areas, we’re investing in healthy wetlands, thriving wildlife, outdoor recreation, and our communities that depend on them.”
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Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry represents California’s 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake, Colusa, Napa, and Yolo Counties, and part of Sonoma County. She serves as the Assembly Majority Leader and Chair of the California Women’s Legislative Caucus.
