Community support letter for SB 1312 (Richardson) – Request for Signature

Instructions to send your support letter to Governor Newsom by September 20th: visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/. Under "Best Method" select drop down for "Topic", select "An Active Bill." Scroll to SB 1312 (note: you will need to scroll toward the bottom). Select "Leave a Comment" and then "Next." On the following page, select "Pro" under "If applicable, what is your stance on this topic?" In the text box titled "Message", paste your customized message below. On the final page, provide your name and email. After entering your information, click "submit". Alternatively you can mail a physical letter to the Sacramento address listed below or call (916) 445-2841.

Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: SB 1312 (Richardson) – Request for Signature

Dear Governor Newsom:

[We / I] write as [a resident of Marin County / a member of the community / a member of ___ synagogue / ___ organization / family member of someone buried at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery] to respectfully urge your signature of Senate Bill 1312 (Richardson). SB 1312 establishes a state policy to address abandoned endowment care cemeteries and provides counties with the ability to protect public safety. SB 1312 not only benefits communities throughout California, but is particularly important to Marin County as we address continued issues at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery.

[Insert connection to Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery, including family ties, community affiliation, or personal experience with the site and current conditions.]

Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery is a 150-year-old site that remains an active burial ground for Marin families, yet it is in a state of serious disrepair. The cemetery lost its license in 2025 following court-enforced action due to egregious financial mismanagement and neglect. While the State has taken steps to secure what remains of the endowment care fund, the condition of the grounds continues to deteriorate. Unlike other abandoned cemeteries in California, burials are still occurring at Mt Tamalpais for families with pre-purchased plots – making this situation especially urgent.

Families visiting the cemetery are met with overgrown grounds, no basic maintenance, and difficulty locating gravesites – even for recently buried loved ones. These conditions are deeply distressing and fall short of the dignity and permanence that California’s cemeteries should provide. 

This situation has gone on for too long – since state regulatory enforcement began in 2021 – and without this near-term intervention, conditions will deteriorate to a point where meaningful restoration becomes far more difficult and costly. Families deserve immediate action, and with legislative support and a community-driven path toward stabilization and responsible long-term management, this funding represents a timely opportunity to prevent further deterioration and begin restoring the site.

For these reasons, I urge you to sign SB 1312 so Mt. Tamalpais can become a model for how to restore conditions, rebuild trust, and ensure long-term stewardship. With your leadership, Mt. Tamalpais Cemetery can be restored to the respectful condition that families – and Californians laid to rest – deserve.

Sincerely,
(ADD YOUR NAME HERE)