(a) The department shall submit a report to the relevant policy committees and the budget committees of the Legislature, in compliance with § 9795 of the Government Code, on or before July 1, 2028, on the implementation of this article. The report shall include recommendations for this article and describe the status of the department’s progress in doing all of the following:

(1) Developing an inventory of wildlife connectivity needs on the state highway system pursuant to Section 158.1.

(2) Assessing transportation projects in connectivity areas for wildlife connectivity impacts pursuant to Section 158.2.

(3) Implementing wildlife connectivity improvements on transportation projects pursuant to Section 158.2.

(4) Updating appropriate design guidance, including the Highway Design Manual, to incorporate design concepts for wildlife passage features and related standard plans and specifications pursuant to Section 158.3.

(5) Implementing the Transportation Wildlife Connectivity Remediation Program pursuant to Section 158.4.

(6) Funding wildlife connectivity improvements, including total funding amount by fund source for these improvements and a list of improvements that have been funded since the enactment of this article.

(b) The report shall also include information regarding both of the following:

(1) A description of the consultation and concurrence process between the department, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other appropriate entities.

(2) Significant accomplishments or obstacles to meeting the objectives of the article.

(c) Pursuant to § 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2032, and, as of January 1, 2033, is repealed.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 964, Sec. 2. (AB 2344) Effective January 1, 2023. Inoperative July 1, 2032, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2033, by its own provisions.)