SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom this week signed Senate Bill 1207 by Senator John Laird, legislation to support the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and recognize the young people who serve California.

SB 1207 allows Corpsmembers who continue into state service to purchase up to three years of retirement service credit through the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for their time in the CCC. The new law puts CCC service on similar footing with the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, whose participants can already purchase retirement service credit for their service.

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside the Corps throughout my time in public service, and I’ve always believed Corpsmembers deserve meaningful support and recognition for their work,” said Laird. “SB 1207 honors that service and helps strengthen the CCC for the next 50 years.”

The new law also helps protect the CCC’s work from potential disruptions caused by changes in federal funding. Current labor law exemptions applying to national service programs could be affected if federal support is suspended. SB 1207 makes clear that the CCC can continue operating under its existing structure regardless of changes in federal funding.

SB 1207 also modernizes CCC statutes to better reflect the Corps’ work today, including expressly allowing the CCC to contract with Tribal Corps.

The CCC – which celebrated its 50^th anniversary in July -- serves more than 3,000 young adults each year, providing hands-on workforce training while supporting conservation and emergency response efforts throughout California. In 2025 alone, Corpsmembers logged more than 3 million hours in forestry, firefighting, trail building, habitat restoration and emergency response. More than 1,200 Corpsmembers responded to the Palisades and Eaton fires.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Laird and the Legislature for the passage of SB 1207, and to Governor Newsom for his signature,” said Acting Director Brandon Joanis. “As the CCC celebrates its 50^th anniversary, this bill honors the profound service Corpsmembers provide to California every day, from maintaining trails and battling wildfires, to supporting culinary operations and restoring habitat. By recognizing this service through service-credit buyback and strengthening the CCC’s statutes, SB 1207 helps ensure that our mission endures and thrives for years to come.”

SB 1207 takes effect January 1, 2027.