The California Endangered Species Act: the California State Safe Harbor Agreement Program Act.

Assembly Member Petrie-Norris proposes expanding California's endangered species protections while facilitating renewable energy development through amendments to the state's Safe Harbor Agreement Program. The legislation authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife to permit the take of declining or vulnerable species, provided activities meet specific mitigation requirements.

The bill introduces a new framework for evaluating species impacts from clean energy projects. Renewable energy and decarbonization infrastructure projects qualify as fully mitigated if they advance scientific understanding of species effects through department-approved research programs backed by financial assurances. The amendments also clarify that changes in baseline habitat conditions from new development can constitute lawful activity under safe harbor agreements when projects demonstrate net conservation benefits during their operational life.

To streamline implementation, the legislation allows qualified persons to conduct species habitat surveys with department approval either before or after assessment. The bill maintains existing protections requiring that safe harbor agreements cannot reduce species populations below baseline levels, while adding flexibility for projects that advance both conservation and clean energy goals. These changes align with legislative findings citing California's targets for renewable electricity generation and carbon neutrality by 2045.