Committee advances measure to speed transfers of parcels to State Parks for Big Basin recovery

Assemblymember Pellerin introduced AB 679 and accepted committee amendments that narrow the bill’s application to parcels intended to support rebuilding and improved visitor facilities for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Año Nuevo and Butano State Parks.

Proponents said the current transfer process — which requires additional approvals and can cause multi‑year delays — impeded conservation organizations that acquire high‑priority parcels and seek to transfer them to State Parks. Rachel Dann of Sempervirens Fund and Abigail Smet of the California State Parks Foundation testified that delays create uncertainty for conservation partners and can leave organizations holding and managing land longer than intended.

Supporters framed the bill as a limited pilot for a streamlined acquisition route similar to authorities used by other conservation agencies, intended to help implement a post‑fire reimagining and resilience strategy for Big Basin following the CZU Lightning Complex fires. Some committee members praised the proposal and its role in achieving climate and conservation goals; one member opposed the bill citing concerns about long‑term state management costs and capacity in the context of broader budget pressures.

After comments and a recorded roll call, the committee passed AB 679 as amended to Appropriations. The author and supporters said the bill would not create immediate acquisition spending but would remove procedural barriers to more rapid transfers of already‑purchased parcels to State Parks.