Newsom signs Wallis’ Joshua Tree bill into law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1663 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Bermuda Dunes, simplifying the permitting process for hazardous Joshua Trees and expanding opportunities for California Native American tribes to use Western Joshua Trees for cultural purposes.

The law allows property owners to designate an authorized agent, such as a contractor or property manager, to handle no-fee permits for hazardous trees without additional certification.

It also expands the state’s 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.

“Joshua Trees are part of what makes our desert home,” Wallis said. “A homeowner with a dead tree leaning on the house can now get a permit without extra hoops, and tribes have more room to use these trees in their cultural traditions.”

Newsom also signed AB 1808, authored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo and coauthored by Wallis. The measure makes additional changes to Joshua Tree permitting for single-family homes and 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,” Wallis said.