California 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB721 Compare Versions

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1-Amended IN Assembly April 23, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 721Introduced by Assembly Member SoriaFebruary 14, 2025 An act to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 721, as amended, Soria. Huron Hawk Conservancy.Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a general obligation bond, as provided, would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.SEC. 2. 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.
1+Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 721Introduced by Assembly Member SoriaFebruary 14, 2025 An act relating to parks and open-space areas. to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 721, as amended, Soria. Parks and open-space areas. Huron Hawk Conservancy.Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.Existing law vests control of the state park system with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and provides for the formation of park and open-space districts in the state.This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.SEC. 2. 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.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.
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3-Amended IN Assembly April 23, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 721Introduced by Assembly Member SoriaFebruary 14, 2025 An act to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 721, as amended, Soria. Huron Hawk Conservancy.Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a general obligation bond, as provided, would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
3+ Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 721Introduced by Assembly Member SoriaFebruary 14, 2025 An act relating to parks and open-space areas. to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 721, as amended, Soria. Parks and open-space areas. Huron Hawk Conservancy.Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.Existing law vests control of the state park system with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and provides for the formation of park and open-space districts in the state.This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NOYES
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5-Amended IN Assembly April 23, 2025 Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025
6-
7-Amended IN Assembly April 23, 2025
85 Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025
96
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7+Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025
118
129 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
1310
1411 Assembly Bill
1512
1613 No. 721
1714
1815 Introduced by Assembly Member SoriaFebruary 14, 2025
1916
2017 Introduced by Assembly Member Soria
2118 February 14, 2025
2219
23-
24-
25-An act to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.
20+ An act relating to parks and open-space areas. to add Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) to the Public Resources Code, relating to conservancies.
2621
2722 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2823
2924 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
3025
31-AB 721, as amended, Soria. Huron Hawk Conservancy.
26+AB 721, as amended, Soria. Parks and open-space areas. Huron Hawk Conservancy.
3227
33-Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a general obligation bond, as provided, would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.
28+Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.This bill would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.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.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.Existing law vests control of the state park system with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and provides for the formation of park and open-space districts in the state.This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.
3429
3530 Existing law authorizes various conservancies to acquire, manage, direct the management of, and conserve lands in the state.
3631
37-This bill bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a general obligation bond, as provided, would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
32+This bill would establish the Huron Hawk Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency for specified purposes related to the Huron Hawk area, as defined, including to acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area. The bill would require the conservancy to be governed by a board of directors composed of designated membership, including certain members appointed by certain local agencies. The bill would set forth the powers, duties, and limitations of the board of directors and the conservancy, as provided. The bill would create the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund and would make moneys in the fund available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would authorize the conservancy to accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, as defined, which the bill would require to be deposited into the fund. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and would require the revenue, money, and grants to be deposited into the fund. By imposing new duties on local agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
3833
3934 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.
4035
4136 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.
4237
38+Existing law vests control of the state park system with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and provides for the formation of park and open-space districts in the state.
39+
40+
41+
42+This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.
43+
44+
45+
4346 ## Digest Key
4447
4548 ## Bill Text
4649
47-The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.SEC. 2. 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.
50+The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.SEC. 2. 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.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.
4851
4952 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
5053
5154 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
5255
53-SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
56+SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
5457
5558 SECTION 1. Division 22.6 (commencing with Section 32540) is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
5659
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59-DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
62+DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
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61-DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
64+DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley. CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code. CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants. CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
6265
6366 DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy
6467
6568 DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy
66-
67-#### DIVISION 22.6. Huron Hawk Conservancy
6869
6970 CHAPTER 1. General Provisions32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley.
7071
7172 CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
7273
7374 CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
7475
75-##### CHAPTER 1. General Provisions
76+32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.
77+
78+
7679
7780 32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.
7881
79-32540. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Huron Hawk Conservancy Act.
80-
81-###### 32540.
82-
8382 32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.(b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.(c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.(d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.(e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley.
8483
84+
85+
8586 32540.1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
86-
87-###### 32540.1.
8887
8988 (a) The San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin within the County of Fresno and near the City of Huron consists of an area with important opportunities for ecological, recreational, educational, and economic benefits to the neighboring central valley area, and is the largest publicly owned riparian habitat in the Tulare Basin.
9089
9190 (b) The City of Huron recognized the multibenefit potential of this area, having requested the United States National Park Service in 2022 for assistance in transforming the land into a regional park and nature reserve. In 2023, the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program selected the area to receive technical assistance.
9291
9392 (c) The project site is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and comanaged by the Department of Water Resources, in addition to being monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
9493
9594 (d) Given the unique unutilized potential of the 3,000 acre area, the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin should be revitalized for the benefit of the surrounding community.
9695
9796 (e) The Huron Hawk Conservancy should be transformed in a coordinated effort with the local community to utilize its potential ecological benefits for the surrounding environment, economic benefits for the neighboring communities, and recreational benefits for those within the central valley.
9897
99-CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code.
98+ CHAPTER 2. Definitions32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code.
10099
101100 CHAPTER 2. Definitions
102101
103102 CHAPTER 2. Definitions
104103
105-##### CHAPTER 2. Definitions
104+32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code.
106105
107-32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:(a)Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(b)(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.(c)(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.(d)(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.(e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.(f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code.
106+
108107
109108 32541. As used in this division, the following definitions apply:
110109
111-###### 32541.
112-
113110 (a) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.
114111
115-(b)
112+(b) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.
116113
117-(a) Board means the governing board of the Huron Hawk Conservancy.
114+(c) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.
118115
119-(c)
120-
121-(b) Conservancy means the Huron Hawk Conservancy established pursuant to Section 32542.
122-
123-(d)
124-
125-(c) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.
126-
127-(d) Huron Hawk area means the land area north of the City of Huron, bordered on the east by the San Luis Canal, bordered on the west by South Trinity Avenue, bordered on the south by West Marmon Avenue, and including a spur of land extending along the east side of Lassen Avenue to a point between West Marmon Avenue and Palmer Avenue.
116+(d) Fund means the Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund established pursuant to Section 32542.1.
128117
129118 (e) Member agencies means the County of Fresno, the City of Huron, the Wildlife Conservation Board, the Natural Resources Agency, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Finance, and the State Lands Commission.
130119
131120 (f) Nonprofit organization means an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code.
132121
133-CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
122+ CHAPTER 3. Conservancy32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.
134123
135124 CHAPTER 3. Conservancy
136125
137126 CHAPTER 3. Conservancy
138127
139-##### CHAPTER 3. Conservancy
128+32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.
140129
141-32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:(1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.(3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.(b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.
130+
142131
143132 32542. (a) The Huron Hawk Conservancy is hereby created as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency for all of the following purposes:
144133
145-###### 32542.
146-
147134 (1) To acquire and manage public lands within the Huron Hawk area and to provide recreational, open space, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and lands for educational uses within the area.
148135
149-(2) To acquire and manage open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.
136+(2) To acquire open-space lands within the Huron Hawk area.
150137
151138 (3) To provide for the publics enjoyment and to enhance the recreational and educational experience on public lands in the Huron Hawk area in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.
152139
153140 (b) The conservancys jurisdiction is limited to the Huron Hawk area.
154141
155142 32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.
156143
144+
145+
157146 32542.1. The Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be made available for expenditure by the conservancy, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this division.
158147
159-###### 32542.1.
148+32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
160149
161-32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:(1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.(2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.(3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.(C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.(5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.(6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.(7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.(10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.(b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
150+
162151
163152 32542.2. (a) The board shall consist of 12 members, appointed as follows:
164-
165-###### 32542.2.
166153
167154 (1) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno appointed by a majority of the members of the board of supervisors. A majority of the members of the board of supervisors may appoint an alternate member from the board of supervisors.
168155
169156 (2) The Mayor of the City of Huron or a member of the Huron City Council designated by that mayor. The mayor may designate an alternate member from the Fresno City Council.
170157
171158 (3) The Director of the Department of Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services of the County of Fresno or the directors designee.
172159
173-(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The These three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:
160+(4) Three public members, two of whom shall be residents of the County of Fresno and one of whom shall be a resident of the City of Huron. The three public members shall be appointed in accordance with all of the following procedures:
174161
175-(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.
162+(A) The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Fresno. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Senate Committee on Rules. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a resident of County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.
176163
177-(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of the County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, timeframe, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support the Huron Hawk area, and candidates with a history of supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. issues shall be prioritized.
164+(B) The Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint a resident of County of Fresno from a list of candidates that includes two or more individuals provided by the Board of Supervisors of Fresno County. The board of supervisors shall develop its list from a list submitted by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within that county and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues. The board of supervisors shall have one year from the end of a term or the creation of a vacancy to submit the list to the Speaker of the Assembly. If the board of supervisors does not submit the list within that time, the Speaker of the Assembly may appoint a resident of the County of Fresno nominated by nonprofit organizations that have a presence within the County of Fresno and support outdoor recreation, conservation, environmental justice, or social justice issues.
178165
179166 (C) The Governor shall appoint the resident of the City of Huron from a list of candidates submitted by the Huron City Council.
180167
181168 (5) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board or a member of the executive directors staff designated by the executive director.
182169
183170 (6) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency or a member of the secretarys staff designated by the secretary.
184171
185172 (7) The Director of Fish and Wildlife or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.
186173
187174 (8) The Director of Parks and Recreation or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.
188175
189176 (9) The Director of Finance or a member of the directors staff designated by the director.
190177
191178 (10) The Executive Officer of the State Lands Commission or a member of the executive officers staff designated by the executive officer.
192179
193180 (b) Six of the members of the board 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 members of the board, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
194181
195182 32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.(b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.
196183
184+
185+
197186 32542.3. (a) The members of the board shall serve for two-year terms. A vacancy on the board shall be filled within 60 days from its occurrence by the appointing authority.
198-
199-###### 32542.3.
200187
201188 (b) A person shall not continue as a member of the board if they cease to hold the office that qualifies them for board membership. Upon the cessation of holding that office, the persons membership on the board shall automatically terminate.
202189
203190 32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.
204191
192+
193+
205194 32542.4. The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be selected by a majority of the members of the board for one-year terms.
206-
207-###### 32542.4.
208195
209196 32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).
210197
198+
199+
211200 32542.5. Meetings of the board shall be subject to 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).
212-
213-###### 32542.5.
214201
215202 32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.
216203
204+
205+
217206 32542.6. The members of the board shall receive reimbursement for actual, necessary, and reasonable expenses. A member of the board who is not a full-time public employee shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per regular meeting, not to exceed 12 regular meetings a year. A member of the board may waive compensation.
218-
219-###### 32542.6.
220207
221208 32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.
222209
210+
211+
223212 32542.7. The conservancy shall obtain and maintain adequate liability insurance or its equivalent for acts or omissions of the conservancys agents, employees, volunteers, and servants.
224213
225-###### 32542.7.
226-
227-32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
228-
229-32542.8. The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
230-
231-###### 32542.8.
232-
233-CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
214+ CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
234215
235216 CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties
236217
237218 CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties
238219
239-##### CHAPTER 4. Powers and Duties
220+32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.
221+
222+
240223
241224 32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.
242225
243-32543. The conservancy shall have, and may exercise, all rights and powers, expressed or implied, necessary to carry out the purposes of this division, except as otherwise provided. The conservancy shall not have the power to levy a tax, regulate land use, or exercise the power of eminent domain.
226+32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
244227
245-###### 32543.
228+
246229
247230 32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
248231
249-32543.1. The conservancy shall facilitate and coordinate the activities of its employees with the personnel of the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
232+32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.
250233
251-###### 32543.1.
234+
252235
253236 32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.
254237
255-32543.2. The conservancy may manage, operate, administer, and maintain lands and facilities owned by the conservancy. Lands acquired by the conservancy shall not be open to public use until the board determines there are adequate funds available for the management of those lands. The conservancy may adopt regulations governing the public use of conservancy lands and may provide for the enforcement of those regulations.
238+32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.
256239
257-###### 32543.2.
240+
258241
259242 32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.
260243
261-32543.3. The conservancy may employ an executive officer and other staff to perform functions that cannot be provided by the existing personnel of member agencies on a contractual basis or by volunteers.
244+32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.
262245
263-###### 32543.3.
246+
264247
265248 32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.
266249
267-32543.4. The conservancy may recruit and coordinate volunteers and experts to conduct recreational programs and to assist with construction projects and the maintenance of facilities.
250+32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.
268251
269-###### 32543.4.
252+
270253
271254 32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.
272255
273-32543.5. The conservancy may determine acquisition priorities and may acquire real property or an interest in real property within the Huron Hawk area from willing sellers and at fair market value or on other mutually acceptable terms. The conservancy may acquire the property on its own or coordinate the acquisition through a member agency or other public agencies with appropriate responsibility and available funding or land to exchange.
256+32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.
274257
275-###### 32543.5.
258+
276259
277260 32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.
278261
279-32543.6. The conservancy may provide technical assistance to landowners to ensure that their activities are compatible with or enhance the Huron Hawk area.
262+32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.
280263
281-###### 32543.6.
264+
282265
283266 32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.
284267
285-32543.7. The conservancy may undertake site improvement projects; regulate public access; revegetate and otherwise rehabilitate degraded areas, in consultation with other public agencies with appropriate jurisdiction and expertise; upgrade deteriorating facilities; and construct new facilities as needed for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation and interpretation, and natural resource protection. These projects may be undertaken by the conservancy on its own or by member agencies, with the conservancy providing overall coordination through setting priorities for projects and assuring uniformity of approach.
268+32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.
286269
287-###### 32543.7.
270+
288271
289272 32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.
290273
291-32543.8. The conservancy may accept revenue generated and contributed to the conservancy by member agencies, which shall be deposited into the fund. Subject to Section 11005 of the Government Code, the conservancy may also accept revenue, money, grants, goods, and services contributed to the conservancy by a public agency, private entity, or person, and the revenue, money, and grants shall be deposited into the fund.
274+32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.
292275
293-###### 32543.8.
276+
294277
295278 32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.
296279
297-32543.9. The conservancy may sue and be sued.
280+32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.
298281
299-###### 32543.9.
282+
300283
301284 32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.
302285
303-32543.10. The conservancy may enter into a contract or joint powers agreement with a public agency, private entity, or person necessary for the proper discharge of the conservancys duties.
304-
305-###### 32543.10.
306-
307286 32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.(b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:(1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.(2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.(3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.(4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.(5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.(6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.(c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.
308287
288+
289+
309290 32543.11. (a) The conservancy may award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of this division.
310-
311-###### 32543.11.
312291
313292 (b) Grants to nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of real property or interests in real property shall be subject to all of the following conditions:
314293
315294 (1) The conservancy may acquire property at fair market value and consistent with the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), except that the acquisition price of lands acquired from public agencies shall be based on the public agencies cost to acquire the land.
316295
317296 (2) The conservancy shall approve the terms under which the interest in land is acquired.
318297
319298 (3) The interest in land acquired pursuant to a grant from the conservancy shall not be used as security for a debt incurred by the nonprofit organization unless the conservancy approves the transaction.
320299
321300 (4) The transfer of land acquired pursuant to a grant shall be subject to the approval of the conservancy and the execution of an agreement between the conservancy and the transferee sufficient to protect the interests of the conservancy.
322301
323302 (5) The conservancy shall have a right of entry and power of termination in and over all interests in real property acquired with state funds, which may be exercised if an essential term or condition of the grant is violated.
324303
325304 (6) If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, title to all interest in real property acquired with state funds shall immediately vest in the conservancy, except that, before that termination, another public agency or nonprofit organization may receive title to all or a portion of that interest in real property, by recording its acceptance of title, together with the conservancys approval, in writing.
326305
327306 (c) A deed or other instrument of conveyance whereby real property is acquired by a nonprofit organization pursuant to this section shall be recorded and shall set forth the executory interest or right of entry on the part of the conservancy.
328307
329308 32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.(b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
330309
310+
311+
331312 32543.12. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer real property, an interest in real property, or an option acquired under this division to a local public agency, state agency, federal agency, nonprofit organization, individual, or other entity for management purposes pursuant to terms and conditions approved by the conservancy. The conservancy may request the Director of General Services to undertake these actions on its behalf.
332313
333-###### 32543.12.
334-
335314 (b) The conservancy may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of land under its ownership or control with local public agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, or other entities and may enter into any other agreements authorized by state or federal law.
336-
337-32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
338-
339-32543.13. This division shall become operative only upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act for purposes of the conservancy, or upon approval of a general obligation bond authorizing funds to be provided for purposes of the conservancy.
340-
341-###### 32543.13.
342315
343316 SEC. 2. 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.
344317
345318 SEC. 2. 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.
346319
347320 SEC. 2. 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.
348321
349322 ### SEC. 2.
323+
324+
325+
326+It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to enhance access to parks and open-space areas in the state.