CAL.Regulation
California makes its Office of Tribal Affairs permanent in statute
California enacted AB 2507 (Chapter 449, Statutes of 2026), amending Government Code section 12012.3 to make the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs permanent. The statute creates a nine-member Tribal Advisory Committee of tribal chairs, three each from the northern, central and southern regions, and requires state agencies that engage tribal governments to designate a tribal liaison, adopt tribal consultation policies and keep the office informed of liaison appointments. Signed September 25, 2026, it takes effect January 1, 2027.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
Key points
- The Secretary of Tribal Affairs must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe in California.California Legislative Information
- Advisory Committee members are appointed by the Governor from tribal nominations no later than the second quarter of 2027.California Legislative Information
- The committee meets at least three times annually from Q2 2027, and at least four times from Q1 2028.California Legislative Information
- Initial committee terms end January 1, 2030; members then serve three-year terms without compensation, with expense reimbursement.California Legislative Information
- The office must maintain a public, up-to-date tribal liaison contact list and list of adopted tribal consultation policies.California Legislative Information
- The committee may not supplant formal consultation processes or exercise approval authority over state agency actions.California Legislative Information
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California Legislative Information
Governor of California