AB 2162 Summary: Oak Woodlands Protection Act

• Prohibits removal of oak trees from oak woodlands without an oak removal permit and plan approved by the Director of Fish and Wildlife, with limited exceptions for dead trees and fire breaks

• Establishes permit requirements: valley oak trees ≥10 inches diameter or 10+ other oak trees ≥10 inches diameter per calendar year must be approved by a registered professional forester

• Creates Oak Woodlands Protection Act Fund through permit application fees to cover department administration and enforcement costs

• Imposes civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, with 50% distributed to county fish and wildlife funds and 50% to Wildlife Conservation Board for oak woodlands conservation

• Repeals existing Public Resources Code Section 21083.4 regarding county-level oak woodlands mitigation alternatives under environmental review