AB 2356 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

State parks: Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation: Tolowa Dunes State Park.

Summary

Existing law authorizes the Director of General Services to execute grants to real property belonging to the state in the name and upon behalf of the state, whenever the sale or exchange of real property is authorized or contemplated by law, if no other state agency is specifically authorized and directed to execute the grants. Existing law finds and declares that California's state parks are a true reflection of the state's collective history, natural and cultural heritage, and ideals. Existing law requires the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation to promote and regulate the use of the state park system in a manner that conserves the scenery, natural and historic resources, and wildlife in the individual units of the system for the enjoyment of future generations. Existing law authorizes the director to transfer specified park property to specified entities, as provided. This bill would require the Department of General Services to grant to the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, subject to specified conditions, all of the rights, title, and interest of the state in the land it owns within the Tolowa Dunes State Park, consisting of 3 parcels totaling approximately 4,301 acres. The bill would exempt that land from property taxation. By imposing additional duties on locals in the administration of this exemption, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations related to a gift of public funds. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. Existing law requires the state to reimburse local agencies annually for certain property tax revenues lost as a result of any exemption or classification of property for purposes of ad valorem property taxation. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding those provisions, no appropriation is made and the state shall not reimburse local agencies for property tax revenues lost by them pursuant to the bill.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

03/23/26 - Amended Assembly → AB2356 · 2 edits

MINOR

This diff reflects a change in document format from plain legislative text to a web-based bill page rather than a substantive policy amendment. The operative bill content (the Amended Assembly version of AB 2356) is identical in both versions. The web page additionally displays the earlier Introduced version (02/19/26) at the bottom for comparison, which contains fewer historical findings and uses softer 'intent to enact subsequent legislation' language rather than the direct action language in the amended version.

TECHNICAL

The document changed from a plain-text legislative format to a web page layout with navigation elements (home, accessibility, FAQ, search, etc.) and metadata such as publication date and version selectors.

The web page now displays the original Introduced version (02/19/26) of the bill at the bottom for comparison. That earlier version had only 7 findings in Section 1(a) versus 10 in the amended version, and used the phrase 'it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation' rather than the amended version's direct 'the Legislature intends to do all of the following.'

02/19/26 - Introduced → 03/23/26 - Amended Assembly · 11 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MAJOR

AB 2356 was transformed from a non-operative bill expressing legislative intent to enact future legislation into an operative bill that actually transfers approximately 4,301 acres of Tolowa Dunes State Park to the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation at no cost. The amended version adds a new Government Code section (14673.16) mandating the Department of General Services to grant all state rights, title, and interest in the land, subject to extensive conditions including perpetual restrictions on commercial development, prohibition on encumbrance, tax exemptions, public access limitations, and a requirement that the land be renamed 'Yan'-daa-k'vt.' This is a significant change because it moves from a symbolic statement of intent to an actual legal transfer with binding conditions.

SCOPE

The bill now actually transfers approximately 4,301 acres (3 parcels) of Tolowa Dunes State Park to the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation at no cost, rather than merely expressing intent to do so in future legislation. A new Government Code section 14673.16 is added to mandate the transfer.

REQUIREMENT

Commercial development (including gaming) not related to cultural and educational experiences tied to Taa-laa-wa Dee-ni' culture is prohibited in perpetuity on the transferred land.

The transferred land and improvements cannot be sold or transferred, except for transfer into federal trust status on behalf of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation. The land also cannot be encumbered (mortgaged, pledged as collateral, or used as security for borrowed funds).

Public access is preserved but subject to reasonable regulations adopted by the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation. Recreation is limited to existing trails, roads, and beaches. Off-road vehicles and e-bicycles are prohibited.

Hunting and fishing by tribal citizens are permitted under ordinances that ensure sustainability of fish and wildlife populations.

The transfer is conditional on the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Tribal Council adopting a resolution under nation law accepting the fee title grant in accordance with all conditions. The deed must include provisions restricting use to protect conservation, cultural, wildlife, environmental, and historical values in perpetuity.

FISCAL

The land is exempt from real property taxation and documentary transfer tax. However, the state explicitly will not reimburse local agencies for lost property tax revenues, meaning local governments bear the fiscal impact of the exemption.

Fiscal committee review changed from 'no' to 'yes' and state-mandated local program changed from 'no' to 'yes,' reflecting the new tax exemption's impact on local agencies.

TECHNICAL

Following the conveyance, no public agency may use the name 'Tolowa Dunes State Park' for these lands; they must be referred to as 'Yan'-daa-k'vt.'

New constitutional findings are added: a special statute finding under Article IV Section 16 (justifying a bill specific to one tribe), a public purpose finding under Article XVI Section 6 (arguing the transfer is not an unconstitutional gift of public funds), and state mandates reimbursement provisions.

DEFINITION

Legislative findings were substantially expanded: 'place of genesis' changed to 'place of creation,' a new term 'Taa-laa-wa Dee-ni'' is defined as the collective reference to all people of that ancestry, and new historical findings are added including the 1853 massacre (described as the second largest recorded massacre of indigenous people in US history), the 1973 National Register listing, the 1978 state acquisition of 10,000 acres, and the 2001 official park designation.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors