SACRAMENTO – As the California Conservation Corps celebrates 50 years of service to the state, legislation by Senator John Laird to support the Corps and recognize the young people who serve has passed the California Legislature and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration.

Senate Bill 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 change puts CCC service on similar footing with the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, whose participants can already purchase retirement service credit for their service.

“For 50 years, the California Conservation Corps has given generations of young people the opportunity to serve our state, build valuable skills and make a lasting difference in communities across California,” said Laird. “SB 1207 recognizes the value of that service and helps ensure the Corps remains strong for the next 50 years.”

The bill 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 its work today, including expressly allowing the CCC to contract with Tribal Corps.

The CCC 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.

The legislation comes during a milestone year for the CCC, which celebrated its 50^th anniversary in July. To mark the occasion, the California Conservation Corps Foundation hosted a reception honoring the Corps’ legislative champions, including Laird for his longstanding support of the CCC. Earlier this month, the CCC presented Laird with its 50^th Anniversary Legislative Champions Award in recognition of his continued support for the Corps and its mission.