Photo: Puvunga, sacred site still used for ceremonies by Tongva, Acjachemen and Chumash people in Long Beach by Epolk, 2007, Wikimedia
Assembly Bill 1881, also known as the California Indian Freedom Act of 2026, aims to protect the religious beliefs and spiritual practices of California Indians.
The bill prohibits governmental agencies from substantially burdening the exercise of these beliefs or spiritual practices on state public lands, including access to sacred sites and the ability to perform religious ceremonies. It requires agencies to engage in meaningful consultation with affected tribes before undertaking projects that may impact sacred sites.
The bill also mandates that any information submitted by a tribe during the environmental review process must be disclosed only with prior consent from the tribe. The bill is part of a broader effort to ensure that the rights and practices of California Indians are respected and protected in the state’s public lands and policies.
