feat: next release from main branch is 2.49.0 (#3706)

Author: ldetmer

.github/release-please.yml

@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 2.40.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.48.x
 bumpMinorPreMajor: true
 handleGHRelease: true
 releaseType: java-yoshi

.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml

@@ -117,6 +117,21 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
       - cla/google
       - javadoc
+  - pattern: 2.48.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (17)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - cla/google
+      - javadoc
+      - unmanaged_dependency_check
 permissionRules:
   - team: api-bigquery
     permission: admin