SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 575, authored by Senator John Laird, passed the California Legislature this week with bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration. The measure restores the California Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund, allowing taxpayers to once again support sea otter conservation and research through voluntary donations on their state income tax returns.

“Sea otters are an iconic part of California’s coast and play an important role in keeping our nearshore ecosystems healthy,” said Laird. “This bill gives Californians a simple, voluntary way to support the conservation of a species that benefits our environment, our coastal economy, and future generations.”

The California Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund was originally established in 2006 through Assembly Bill 2485, jointly authored by then-Assemblymember Laird, and appeared on state tax returns from 2006 to 2024. SB 575 restores the fund, ensuring that voluntary taxpayer contributions can once again help support sea otter recovery, habitat protection, scientific research, and public education.

Southern sea otters are a federally listed threatened species and are considered a keystone species because their presence helps maintain healthy kelp forest ecosystems that support marine biodiversity and California’s coastal economy.

SB 575 does not increase taxes or create any new fees. All contributions to the fund remain entirely voluntary. The bill is sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife.