The CAMTB State Legislative Wrap Up
2025 California legislative season comes to a close
What a year/season it has been. The California Legislature has completed its work for 2025. Many bills are now on their way to the Governor’s desk for review and adoption over the next few weeks.
From fighting for parks and recreation funding to protecting the places we ride, we have been leveraging our collective voice in Sacramento. We’re excited to share our comprehensive CAMTB State Legislative Wrap Up, highlighting the bills that impact our trails, our access, and our riding future.
This year has tested our Government Affairs Team like never before. The federal policy changes that emerged this year required a shift in focus and challenges we had not faced before. It pushed us to do more with the limited resources we have, forcing us to be strategic and prioritize the most critical state issues, such as the budget, Prop 4, and the Trails Conservancy.
This was a critical period of growth for the coalition. We deepened our relationships within the State Senate and State Assembly and became more effective at influencing legislation from within the room. We improved our public call-to-action campaigns so that riders like you can participate firsthand. We waded into the state budget process in new ways to directly influence the allocation of Proposition 4 funding. And perhaps, most importantly, we were successful in raising awareness in the legislature about the need for a trails-centric program to support our state’s most critical recreational resource – our network of natural surface trails.
This session proved that when we work together, we can deliver the outcomes we seek. Our work together with you is a testament to the power of our unified voice. Thank you to all who took action with us! Stay focused – stay vigilant – but don’t forget to have some fun while you do it!
CAMTB State Legislative Wrap Up
Big Wins for Trails: Prop 4 and the Budget Boost
First up, dollars for the dirt. The passage of Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, was a monumental victory last fall. This $10 billion bond is poised to inject vital funds into California’s public lands. While the full rollout will take time, we are already seeing the initial appropriations taking shape in the
2025-26 State Budget and its associated trailer bills (SB 131/AB 130/SB 105).
Status: Prop 4 has passed, and its funding is now being integrated into the state budget and implemented through various trailer bills starting this year.
What it means for you: More funding for deferred maintenance, new park facilities, and crucially, new and improved multi-use trails. CAMTB is actively engaged in influencing the multi-year spending plan to ensure a significant portion of these funds is directed towards sustainable trail projects that benefit bikers, hikers, runners, and equestrians.
Enhancing Access & Supporting Our Stewards
Beyond funding parks and trails, we worked on legislation to streamline the trail development process and support the incredible volunteer and professional trail stewardship community.
AB 1139 (Rogers) – County CEQA Exemptions: This bill is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. It aims to expand an existing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption to cover certain non-motorized recreation projects undertaken by county park agencies.
What it means for you: By streamlining the environmental review process for specific projects on pre-existing roads and trails, this could accelerate the development of new trail access points and improvements at the county level.
AB 518 (Low-Impact Camping): This bill passed the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. CAMTB, along with numerous other recreation and conservation groups, proudly joined a Hipcamp letter urging the Governor to sign it. This bill creates a new category for “low-impact camping” and streamlines the permitting process for landowners.
What it means for you: This is a big win for bikepacking and dispersed camping. It provides more accessible, low-impact camping options on private land, which can help alleviate pressure and overcrowding on our beloved public lands.
AB 1039 (Hart) – Advance Payments for Grants: This crucial bill, which would mandate that state agencies offer advance payments on new grants and contracts with nonprofits, sadly did not pass the Legislature.
What it means for you: This would have been a game-changer for many of our partner organizations and local trail groups. Small nonprofits often struggle with the financial burden of the state’s traditional reimbursement-based grant system. Advance payments mean more stability and capacity for these groups to get boots and shovels on the ground.
Protecting Our Federal Trail Partners
In light of federal land manager workforce reductions in California, state lawmakers have commendably advocated on their behalf.
AJR 10 (Rogers) & AJR 9 (Wallis) – Opposing Federal Workforce Cuts: AJR 10, which demonstrated California’s strong support for its national forests by calling on the President and the California Congressional delegation to oppose budget cuts to the United States Forest Service, passed. The similar bill, AJR 9 (Wallis), which urges the President and the United States Congress to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service, did not pass.
AJR 10 (Rogers) cleared the legislature and was signed by the Governor. AJR 9 (Wallis), curiously, did not make it through the Legislature.
What it means for you: Agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service are indispensable partners in managing, maintaining, and developing the trails we all love. Cuts to their staff and funding directly impact our ability to enjoy and expand our trail networks.
E-Bikes and E-Motos: Clarifying the Ride
This session brought a flurry of bills aimed at defining and regulating electric-powered two-wheelers. Our goal was to ensure responsible use and clear distinctions between different types of vehicles to ensure that access for traditional pedal bikes isn’t compromised.
SB 586 (Jones) E-Moto Bill: This bill successfully passed the Legislature and was signed by the Governor. This is a big win for trail clarity. SB 586 creates a distinct legal framework for registering electric motorcycles (e-motos) as off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
What it means for you: This critical distinction helps ensure that more powerful e-motos are relegated to appropriate OHV areas, protecting trails specifically designated for traditional mountain bikes and pedal-assist e-bikes.
AB 545 (Davies) – Speed Mod Apps: This important safety bill was signed into law by the Governor. It explicitly prohibits the selling of applications that modify an e-bike’s speed beyond its legal class designation.
What it means for you: This directly tackles a significant safety concern, reinforcing the existing e-bike classification system and promoting responsible e-bike use.
AB 875 (Muratsuchi) – E-Motorcycle Confiscation: This bill, also signed into law, clarifies that police can confiscate illegal e-motorcycles that are deceptively sold as e-bikes.
What it means for you: This provides an enforcement tool, supporting the intent of SB 586 and cracking down on mislabeled, high-powered vehicles being used inappropriately on trails.
AB 544 (Davies) – E-Bike Safety & Helmets: This bill was also signed into law. It mandates that all e-bikes must have a red rear reflector or a flashing red light at all times, significantly improving rider visibility and safety. It also offers a diversion program for minors cited for not wearing a helmet on an e-bike, allowing them to take an online safety class and show proof of helmet use.
What it means for you: Enhanced safety measures for e-bike riders, including a reflector on your eMTB, and an educational alternative for young riders to promote helmet use.
AB 965 (Dixon) – Class 3 Age Restriction: This bill has been signed into law. It prohibits selling new or used Class 3 e-bikes to anyone under the age of 16. It reinforces the existing prohibition for riders under 16 from operating Class 3 e-bikes and reiterates that all Class 3 riders must wear helmets.
What it means for you: This strengthens safety measures for youth and Class 3 e-bike operation, ensuring riders are of an appropriate age and equipped for these faster pedal-assist bikes.
Looking Ahead
This legislative season brought significant progress on many fronts, from securing funding for trails to clarifying e-bike regulations and supporting the bedrock of our trail stewardship community. Your engagement, your support, and your passion are what make CAMTB a powerful voice for the mountain biking and trail stewardship community in California.
Stay tuned for more updates, including our Federal Legislation and Policy update, as well as opportunities to get involved, and of course, plenty of trail time. Let’s keep those wheels turning and those trails thriving.
