AB 1089: Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act: industrial projects and commercial projects: tree removal and trimming.

The bill aims to amend the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to allow for the removal and trimming of western joshua trees in certain situations. The department of fish and wildlife will be authorized to enter into agreements with cities to delegate the ability to take western joshua trees associated with commercial and industrial projects. For these projects, the department will limit the bases for paying fees in lieu of mitigation. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for a permit to remove or trim any western joshua tree, allowing the department to issue permits without fees or mitigation if the tree is located within 100 feet of an existing single-family home or if removal or trimming is necessary for defensible space requirements.