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<ns0:Id>20250SB__110899INT</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>99</ns0:VersionNum>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-17</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:MeasureNum>1108</ns0:MeasureNum>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senator Caballero</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Caballero</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to add Division 23.1 (commencing with Section 33230) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>conservancies</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would establish the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency, with jurisdiction over the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area, as defined, for specified purposes, including to protect, conserve, and restore the physical, cultural, archaeological, historical, and living resources of the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area and to provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board composed of designated voting members, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies, and nonvoting liaison advisers. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of
the governing board and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would require all funds or income received by the conservancy, including proceeds from donations or a lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of an interest or option in real property, to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.</html:p>
<html:p>The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains
costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>YES</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
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<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_5C7A9F96-71CC-4D2C-8824-C6BAD144F846">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Division 23.1 (commencing with Section 33230) is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Public Resources Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading type="DIVISION" id="id_83671260-83E7-4861-B5F0-179E1816398F">
<ns0:Num>23.1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_A6BFBB8F-D1E0-48DB-B993-069A38B232D0">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:LawHeading type="CHAPTER" id="id_FD280899-1A7C-419C-8F79-86745A8CD0F4">
<ns0:Num>1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_A10F1987-E416-483F-845F-A101007E4156">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>General Provisions</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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<ns0:Num>33230.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Act.</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_AE8A41F0-A2B0-4534-B8CD-EEB92AF1F0D7">
<ns0:Num>33231.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0AACE615-86AE-4B7D-BF40-DC8F76AE397D">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Ecological Area is one of the largest remaining contiguous wetland and grassland complexes in California’s Central Valley and is of statewide significance for the conservation of wildlife habitat, biological diversity, and ecological processes.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Ecological Area provides critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, including species that depend on managed wetlands and grasslands for breeding, wintering, and migration along the Pacific Flyway.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Wetlands and associated grassland habitats in California’s Central Valley have been
substantially reduced and fragmented due to historical land conversion and development, making the long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of the Grassland Ecological Area a matter of statewide concern.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Ecological Area provides important public benefits, including wildlife conservation, ecosystem services, outdoor recreation, education, carbon management, and contributions to the economic vitality of surrounding communities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The ecological health and sustainability of the Grassland Ecological Area depend on coordinated land management, water management, and conservation efforts among federal, state, regional, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Ecological Area is recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar
Convention on Wetlands, a wildlife management area by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and an important bird area and a shorebird site of international importance by nonprofit wildlife organizations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Focus Area is the area of land surrounding the Grassland Ecological Area that is recognized as a buffer of agricultural and other working landscapes that are compatible with wetland habitats and functions.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is in the public interest to establish the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy to provide a coordinated, landscape-scale framework to conserve, restore, enhance, and manage the natural, ecological, and related resources of the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area for the benefit of present and future generations.
</html:p>
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<ns0:LawHeading type="CHAPTER" id="id_2439468C-00F3-4A9F-A6D8-F5A6DF440F19">
<ns0:Num>2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_673B0801-77C8-4F22-B722-70ACAA543FC7">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Definitions</ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_1A7CB75E-C333-4B9A-B5D3-B44EA8221161">
<ns0:Num>33232.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_6B2EEEB1-9AC7-4632-B4E4-2D4B7CF01B83">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>For purposes of this division, the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Board” means the governing board of the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Conservancy” means the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Fund” means the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Fund created pursuant to Section 33257.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Grassland Ecological Area” means the portion of the County of Merced containing the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, Grassland Water District, Grassland Resource Conservation District, Los Banos Wildlife Area, Volta Wildlife Area, Great Valley Grasslands
State Park, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, and Merced National Wildlife Refuge, designated on, and specifically set forth in, the map called “Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy,” dated ____ 2026, and placed on file with the Secretary of State. The map shall be publicly posted by the Natural Resources Agency on its internet website.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Grassland Focus Area” means the area of land surrounding the Grassland Ecological Area that is recognized as a buffer of agricultural and other working landscapes that are compatible with wetland habitats and functions, designated on, and specifically set forth in, the map called “Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy,” dated ____ 2026, and placed on file with the Secretary of State. The map shall be publicly posted by the Natural Resources Agency on its internet website.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Nonprofit organization” means a private, nonprofit organization
that qualifies for exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code, and whose charitable purposes are consistent with the purposes of the conservancy as set forth in this division.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_85102B14-3FBD-444A-946C-66F829265F09">
<ns0:Num>33233.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_B6293E34-9362-4220-B8BE-F17BD5E4C9C6">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency to fulfill all of the following purposes, working in collaboration and cooperation with local governments and interested parties:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Protect, conserve, and restore the physical, cultural, archaeological, historical, and living resources of the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area, including migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway and other wildlife.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Aid in the preservation of working landscapes.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Protect and improve water and air quality.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Assist the regional economy through the operation of the conservancy’s efforts.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Identify the highest priority projects and initiatives for which funding is needed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Undertake efforts to enhance public and educational use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Support efforts that advance both environmental preservation and the economic well-being of the region’s residents in a complementary manner.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(j)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Support efforts that advance climate
resilience and equity.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
<ns0:LawHeading type="CHAPTER" id="id_D10D40EE-8C5A-4921-A73B-74163FE976F0">
<ns0:Num>3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_F810B6C3-2DED-4624-83F6-1107106EE28E">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Governing Board</ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_AA6D7015-532C-4793-8A1B-D7AD6E04F718">
<ns0:Num>33234.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_47C0A149-962D-4C31-861B-CA9C6719CEFB">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The board shall consist of nine voting members and two nonvoting liaison advisers, appointed or designated as follows:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The nine voting members of the board shall consist of all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or their designee.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Director of Fish and Wildlife, or their designee.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One public member, who is not an elected official, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One public member, who is not an elected official, appointed
by the Senate Committee on Rules.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Five members to represent local and regional interests within or affecting the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area, as follows:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The General Manager of the Grassland Water District, or their designee.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A supervisor of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Merced, appointed by that board, or their designee, and a resident of the County of Merced.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One member appointed by the Governor who is a landowner in the Grassland Ecological Area and owns the land exclusively for the purpose of habitat protection.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(iv)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One member appointed by the Governor who is a landowner in the Grassland Ecological Area and owns or operates an
agricultural operation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(v)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One member appointed by the Governor who is an employee of a nongovernmental organization that is an active member of the Central Valley Joint Venture.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The two nonvoting liaison advisers, who serve in an advisory, nonvoting capacity, shall consist of both of the following representatives of state or federal agencies with jurisdiction over, regulatory authority concerning, or funding and technical expertise relevant to, wildlife, habitat, wetlands, or water resources within the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Regional Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8, or their designee.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board, or their designee.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Appointing powers shall seek to include individuals from a breadth of backgrounds.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and two members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, shall meet with the conservancy and participate in its activities to the extent that such participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature. One appointee from each house of the Legislature shall represent a district either partially or wholly within the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area and one appointee from each house shall represent a district from outside the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy shall use the Governor’s Tribal Advisor and the Native American Heritage Commission
to identify and consult with California Indian tribes that may be affected by conservancy activities, in a manner that allows a reasonable opportunity for tribes to comment and participate.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_35B7F1BE-CB9A-4E12-AEE1-1476456C1598">
<ns0:Num>33235.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_30DAA76A-E7B9-4251-ACD7-A6F2369A7199">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>Members of the board shall serve terms as follows:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The members appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33234 shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing power.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The members appointed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33234 shall serve terms of four years and may be reappointed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
No member of the board, whose appointment to the board was contingent upon meeting a condition of eligibility under this division, shall serve beyond the time when the member ceases to meet that condition.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_2E1CA57A-B807-4B62-B8FE-76E990284555">
<ns0:Num>33236.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_829DFBFE-551A-408A-B782-4018A3617BF4">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The voting members appointed or designated under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33234 who are not state employees shall be compensated for attending meetings of the conservancy at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per scheduled meeting day.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All members of the board shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in attending meetings of the conservancy and carrying out the duties of their office.
</html:p>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_F4CBB55D-6BBE-4B08-B964-2AC927A94B38">
<ns0:Num>33237.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0A036933-F80C-4FC5-960C-A75709B6C0C9">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>Every two years, the voting members of the board shall elect from among the voting members a chairperson and vice chairperson, and other officers as necessary. If the office of the chairperson or vice chairperson becomes vacant, a new chairperson or vice chairperson shall be elected by the voting members of the board to serve for the remainder of the term.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_CCD639E5-AD8B-4E60-B363-4E9091935586">
<ns0:Num>33238.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_1CDE5A5B-8FE0-4655-AE86-988F22BBE9B0">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Five members of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the conservancy. The board shall not transact the business of the conservancy if a quorum is not present at the time a vote is taken. A decision of the board requires an affirmative vote of five of the voting members, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The board shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The voting members of the board appointed or designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33234 and the nonvoting advisers selected pursuant to
paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 33234 shall have the right to attend all meetings of the board, including closed sessions.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_DDBC8EC9-29FD-4EA8-B051-7A4A55DB4375">
<ns0:Num>33239.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_C07A8C07-E92D-4277-B25C-1C87EDBC79F4">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board may establish advisory boards or committees, hold community meetings, and engage in public outreach using advanced forms of technology, in order to facilitate the decisionmaking process. Members of advisory boards or committees may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, that they incur in attending regular meetings of the advisory board or committee of which they are a member.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_5B16B243-D34C-4E90-BAD5-D98D87E40E8A">
<ns0:Num>33240.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4586D3F3-B744-4F56-A759-86CA65A10BA3">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board shall establish and maintain a headquarters office within the region. The conservancy may rent or own real and personal property and equipment pursuant to applicable statutes and regulations.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8BBB56B6-FD8D-4F52-B3E3-A0F60329F483">
<ns0:Num>33241.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>The board shall determine the qualifications of, and appoint, an executive officer of the conservancy, who shall be exempt from civil service. The board shall employ other staff as necessary to execute the powers and functions provided for under this division.</html:p>
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_BE5D560F-7B99-4149-930F-34C2793B7E0F">
<ns0:Num>33242.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board may enter into contracts with private entities and public agencies to procure consulting and other services necessary to achieve the purposes of this division.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_F6C164F1-56DD-485A-92BB-5C56D6A08C27">
<ns0:Num>33243.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_58013E97-C44D-461D-9D9A-B088B9DBC58C">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy’s expenses for support and administration may be paid from the conservancy’s operating budget and any other funding sources available to the conservancy.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_E6F41467-DA4C-460F-8505-6AD3D77CAECE">
<ns0:Num>33244.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_45B3571F-E6B5-44F2-B5E2-32070A540E68">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board shall conduct business in accordance with the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_707BADE8-E406-4E42-BC75-C42C4D02C77C">
<ns0:Num>33245.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_D9ED011E-55FC-4C4D-9D3A-59820691A42D">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board shall hold its regular meetings within, or near, the region.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_9ABD18D8-07F8-421D-8499-8F7EEA57CFAC">
<ns0:Num>33246.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_13C54E4F-BE6E-4520-85B1-D5B04D70165A">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The board shall post agendas for each board meeting on the Natural Resource Agency’s internet website.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
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</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
<ns0:LawHeading type="CHAPTER" id="id_A6CED82D-EF01-4CD5-83D2-7E31DCE09171">
<ns0:Num>4.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_A09EBDEA-2793-4696-965E-365B81486D8A">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Powers and Duties</ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8591D30F-C450-4CCF-BC44-26BE3D83C37D">
<ns0:Num>33247.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4C96C2A1-9B96-4FCC-B75E-0E7AD3343C63">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy’s jurisdiction is limited to the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_E9D9C1BF-CE20-494C-BCA1-5E76F6D8EF09">
<ns0:Num>33248.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_ECAA3856-03D9-4A3F-B470-8DE715D6E8D4">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy shall carry out projects and activities to further the purposes of this division throughout the Grassland Ecological Area and the Grassland Focus Area.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_88E1CAC4-C96A-472B-8296-1E319CCEF494">
<ns0:Num>33249.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_AD2CA462-FBAF-4D41-B415-21041AF8182E">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy may make grants or loans to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribal organizations in order to carry out the purposes of this division, including grants or loans provided to acquire an interest in real property.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Grant or loan funds shall be disbursed only after the recipient entity has entered into an agreement with the conservancy on the terms and conditions specified by the conservancy.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
When awarding grants or making loans pursuant to this division, the conservancy may require repayment of those funds on the terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy may
provide technical information, expertise, and other nonfinancial assistance to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribal organizations to support planning, project development, and implementation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy may apply for and receive grants to carry out the purposes of this division.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_9BB8B11E-64BF-479B-827F-33B4C64F20F7">
<ns0:Num>33250.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_F0E70BF3-D8ED-4534-94C8-7797DA99BA30">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy may sue and be sued in its own name.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_A3E5DF51-A515-4F8E-8832-B2465B03E7D1">
<ns0:Num>33251.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_01E68FA4-37D4-4EAF-8016-BEA4ED8882B2">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy may acquire from willing sellers or transferors an interest in real property in order to carry out the purposes of this division.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_17415372-6C6C-4BA3-BDFA-E346A70DE6BF">
<ns0:Num>33252.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_12B0C300-D3FF-4389-882F-67C5136F2332">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy shall take whatever actions are reasonably necessary and incidental to the management of lands or interests in lands under its ownership or control and may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of those lands or interests with public agencies or private individuals or entities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy may improve, restore, or enhance lands for the purpose of protecting wildlife habitat, conserving natural resources, improving public access or enjoyment of public lands, or otherwise meeting the objectives of this division, and may carry out the planning and design of those improvements or measures.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy may enter into
agreements with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or private entities for the construction, management, or maintenance of facilities authorized by the conservancy.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_D63DFD5D-23FB-406C-8E4D-9B28D102DEB5">
<ns0:Num>33253.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_06673589-ADE7-4E36-B205-84489A07B232">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The conservancy shall not exercise the power of eminent domain.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_19AE5AF0-DF50-48EB-BAFB-1FA670C73328">
<ns0:Num>33254.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_86376A33-F37F-4183-8827-DC5A6F76BE08">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer an interest, option, or contractual right in real property acquired under this division, subject to terms and conditions in furtherance of the purposes of this division.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Proceeds from a lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of an interest or option in real property, and all other income, shall be deposited in the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Fund.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_05FEFFB5-C9FD-4A1A-AE57-CDCBE7A46399">
<ns0:Num>33255.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_51D4A115-9372-4EEC-8D17-EBDB94720F44">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>In carrying out this division, the conservancy shall cooperate and consult with the city or county where a grant is proposed or an interest in real property is proposed to be acquired, and shall, as necessary or appropriate, coordinate its efforts with other state agencies, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency. The conservancy shall, as necessary and appropriate, cooperate and consult with public water and irrigation districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and other relevant entities where a grant is proposed or an interest in land is proposed to be acquired.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_F9985F03-E7A7-46FF-B601-FB7E96AB2340">
<ns0:Num>33256.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_FFC98BB1-5C0A-47DA-934D-A00C88D99B7A">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This division does not grant to the conservancy any of the following powers:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The powers of a city or county to regulate land use.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Authority to regulate activities on land, except as the owner of an interest in land or pursuant to an agreement with, or a license or grant of management authority from, the owner of an interest in land.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Authority over water rights held by others.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This division does not affect the jurisdiction of any other state conservancy.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
<ns0:LawHeading type="CHAPTER" id="id_404F5D5E-418E-4F2C-907C-6B2B05537291">
<ns0:Num>5.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_34BF2896-E653-4305-947A-02F20724C85A">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Financial and Accountability Provisions </ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_E2E25CB9-E6C0-4A69-9A02-9A0F80892FA2">
<ns0:Num>33257.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_D9BF75C5-9B30-429D-99B1-93A3E596CF99">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Moneys in the fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only for the purposes of this division.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
All funds or income received by the conservancy, including proceeds from donations or a lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of an interest or option in real property, shall be deposited in the Grassland Ecological Area Conservancy Fund for expenditure for the purposes of this division.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8441E2A9-CCAB-4178-B72A-B3C387AD514D">
<ns0:Num>33258.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_F8BCEFDB-D653-48FC-956F-E84ADC97BE54">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, beginning January 1, 2028, the conservancy shall submit an annual report to the Legislature and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency regarding the activities of the conservancy, including expenditures, land management costs, and administrative costs.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conservancy shall make the report publicly available, including by posting the report on its internet website, if any.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
</ns0:LawHeading>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_7CABAE4A-BA60-4769-9753-D335F5EB6A3F">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>