The Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) announced today a major step in updating California's SB 18 Tribal Consultation Guidelines and developing an accompanying Tribal Consultation Toolkit. This effort builds on months of outreach and government-to-government meetings that began in September 2025, when LCI first launched the guidelines update process. Learn more from the project launch announcement here.

The update focuses on revising California's 2004 SB 18 Tribal Consultation Guidelines to strengthen clarity, consistency, and culturally grounded consultation statewide. The accompanying Tribal Consultation Toolkit will include practical resources-such as case studies, templates, and training modules-to support both Tribes and non-Tribal jurisdictions.

"Since last fall, we've been listening carefully to Tribes about how this work should move forward," said Abby Edwards, Senior Deputy Director of Planning and Policy at LCI. "Centering Tribal input and engagement is essential to this process. Providing a wide range of opportunities and points of access for Tribes to engage in this process is a priority for LCI. In this next phase of work, we are looking forward to meaningful engagement with Tribes to inform the guidelines, the toolkit, and statewide planning practices."

The next phase of the project is a formal 60-day solicitation period for nominations to the Planning Tribal Advisory Group (PTAG), which will provide ongoing guidance throughout the update.

Beginning March 19, 2026, LCI will distribute Tribal consultation letters, open the PTAG nomination window, and share opportunities for participation, including information sessions.

Summary of the Planning Tribal Advisory Group

The Planning Tribal Advisory Group will advise the state on updates to the SB 18 Tribal Consultation Guidelines and Toolkit, as well as the General Plan Guidelines and Specific Plan Guidelines. The group will center Indigenous Knowledges, sovereignty, and the lived experience of Tribal communities in statewide planning. PTAG is not a substitute for Tribal consultation, which will continue throughout the update process.

LCI welcomes nominations from Tribal leaders, representatives, planners, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs), environmental and land managers, administrators, cultural knowledge holders, and Indigenous Knowledge practitioners. Self-nominations are encouraged.

How to Submit a Nomination

Submit all PTAG nominations via email to Rico Miranda, LCI Tribal Liaison at [email protected] by Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Email nominations must include:

• Name, title, Tribe, contact information (for nominee and nominator)
• Bio and résumé/CV
• Brief statement of interest: A short statement explaining your interest and expertise in committing to this advisory group.
• Letter of recommendation from a California Native American Tribe on Tribal letterhead. Since obtaining an official letter of recommendation can take more time, the deadline for submitting letters is June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Tribal leaders and representatives with questions can contact the LCI Tribal Affairs team at [email protected]. Additional updates and participation details will be posted throughout the nomination period.

On March 19, 2026, LCI will distribute:

• Formal Tribal Consultation Letters
• The PTAG Request for Nominations
• Information about opportunities to engage, including virtual information sessions

Information Sessions (Virtual) - April 8, 2026

LCI will host two virtual Information Sessions on April 8, 2026- at 1 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. These sessions will provide an overview of:

• The SB 18 Tribal Consultation Guidelines (TCG), General Plan Guidelines (GPG), and Specific Plan Guidelines (SPG).
• The PTAG's purpose, roles, and responsibilities as well as the nomination and selection process, information on how PTAG members will help guide the SB 18 Guidelines & Toolkit update, and additional opportunities to engage throughout the solicitation window.

April 8, 1:00-2:00 PM: Registration link

April 8, 5:30-6:30 PM: Registration link

Sessions will be recorded and publicly posted following the webinar.

Planning Tribal Advisory Group nominations are due Friday, May 22, 2026, with official letters of recommendation due by Monday, June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

For questions: [email protected]