BBK’s Brian Hughes Appointed to Statewide SB 777 Working Group on Abandoned Cemeteries
Reflective of Hughes’ Commitment to Public Agencies and Long-Standing Leadership Within the Cemetery District Community
Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) is proud to announce that Brian Hughes, of counsel in BBK’s Special Districts practice group, has been appointed to the California State Cemetery and Funeral Bureau’s (CFB) SB 777 Working Group. This statewide committee was established under SB 777 in 2025 to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for communities across California facing challenges related to abandoned or defunct cemeteries.
SB 777 requires the CFB to convene a diverse panel of representatives from public agencies and industry organizations to study the issue throughout 2026 and deliver a comprehensive report to the Legislature by year’s end. Due to Hughes’ extensive experience representing Public Cemetery Districts, both the California Association of Public Cemeteries and the Public Cemetery Alliance jointly nominated him to serve as the Public Cemetery District representative on the working group. He was officially confirmed a member of the group in November 2025.
The CFB has outlined an active schedule for the Working Group , including a public virtual meeting on December 16, 2025 to gather community input and dissemination of an upcoming stakeholder survey to help shape early discussions. The first full workgroup meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2026, in Sacramento.
Hughes will collaborate with counties, cities, and government associations statewide to help craft policy solutions addressing operational challenges and regulatory gaps. His work will also focus on long-term stewardship needs for abandoned cemeteries, including those with endowment care funds.
Hughes supports his clients on matters ranging from daily operations and public contracts to infrastructure projects, environmental issues and board compliance. A former attorney-advisor with the U.S. Department of the Interior and a trained hydrogeologist, he brings a practical, solutions-driven approach rooted in public service and a strong understanding of complex regulatory environments.
Learn more about California’s Cemetery and Funeral Bureau here.
