Bill > AB1485

This bill expands property tax exemptions for Native American tribes by allowing federally recognized Indian tribes or their wholly owned subsidiaries to qualify for exemptions related to the preservation of natural resources or open-space lands, provided the property is managed under a qualified conservation plan and not reserved for future development, with this provision in effect from the 2026-27 to the 2031-32 fiscal years. Additionally, it exempts from the documentary transfer tax, which is a tax imposed on the transfer of real estate, any transaction that facilitates a "tribal land return," defined as an acquisition of land by a federally recognized tribe or its subsidiary that is restricted to cultural, educational, recreational, or conservation purposes and prohibits commercial activities, with this exemption lasting until January 1, 2031. The bill also outlines specific goals, performance indicators, and data collection requirements for these tax expenditures, and includes provisions for state reimbursement to local agencies if the bill imposes state-mandated costs, taking effect immediately as a tax levy.

Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1485