CA AB1624

Federal lands in California transferred to private or non-federal ownership on or after January 1, 2025 would automatically become subject to existing conservation-oriented zoning designations (open space, public land, resource conservation) upon transfer

Transferred federal parcels without existing zoning designations would automatically receive the most restrictive conservation-oriented zoning in that jurisdiction by operation of law

Rezoning transferred federal lands for development requires a full CEQA environmental impact report, two-thirds vote by the local governing body, demonstration of compelling public interest, and permanent conservation mitigation offsets of equal or greater ecological value

Electric infrastructure and clean energy facilities are permitted uses on these lands if impacts to habitat and natural resources are minimized and mitigated to the maximum extent feasible

Exemptions apply to parcels with operational buildings covering more than 50% of land area, tribal trust lands, and urban parcels surrounded by developed housing or commercial infrastructure