AB 2734 – Expand Coastal Access in California!

Every year, Californians spend millions on the Whale Tail license plate because they want to support coastal access and education. Right now, most of that money isn't going where they think it is.

AB 2734 fixes that — by making sure Whale Tail plate revenue actually funds the coastal programs it was created to support.

Here's the problem: despite raising over $4 million last year alone, only about 25% of Whale Tail plate revenue is currently available for coastal access and education programs. The rest flows into a general fund. Other specialty plates direct 50–100% of their revenue to their intended purpose. The Whale Tail plate is operating under a 30-year-old funding structure that was never updated to match what Californians expect when they buy it.

AB 2734 changes that starting January 1, 2027. Half of all plate revenue would go to the California Coastal Commission for the Whale Tail Grants Program, Adopt-A-Beach, Coastal Cleanup Day, and coastal public education. The other half would go directly to the State Coastal Conservancy's Explore the Coast grants — funding programs that get people, especially those in underserved communities, to the shore.

Since the plate launched, more than 4.6 million people have participated in Whale Tail-funded activities. Ninety-five percent of grant-engaged communities face real barriers to coastal access. This bill means more of that work gets funded — not less.

California's coast is a public resource. The people who buy this plate believe in protecting it. AB 2734 makes sure their money delivers on that promise.

Sponsored by Surfrider's friends at TreePeople, Salted Roots, and Outdoor Outreach.