CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 982Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code, relating to resources conservation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 982, as introduced, Carrillo. Resources conservation: California Conservation Corps: Education and Employment Reentry Program.Existing law establishes the California Conservation Corps and requires that young people participating in the corps program generally be engaged in projects that, among other things, preserve, maintain, and enhance environmentally important lands and waters. Existing law authorizes the director of the corps, upon appropriation, to establish the Education and Employment Reentry Program within the corps and to enroll in the program formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew and were recommended for participation as a program member by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to legislative findings and declarations related to the Education and Employment Reentry Program.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 982Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 20, 2025 An act to amend Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code, relating to resources conservation. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 982, as introduced, Carrillo. Resources conservation: California Conservation Corps: Education and Employment Reentry Program.Existing law establishes the California Conservation Corps and requires that young people participating in the corps program generally be engaged in projects that, among other things, preserve, maintain, and enhance environmentally important lands and waters. Existing law authorizes the director of the corps, upon appropriation, to establish the Education and Employment Reentry Program within the corps and to enroll in the program formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew and were recommended for participation as a program member by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to legislative findings and declarations related to the Education and Employment Reentry Program.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 982
Introduced by Assembly Member CarrilloFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Carrillo
February 20, 2025
An act to amend Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code, relating to resources conservation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 982, as introduced, Carrillo. Resources conservation: California Conservation Corps: Education and Employment Reentry Program.
Existing law establishes the California Conservation Corps and requires that young people participating in the corps program generally be engaged in projects that, among other things, preserve, maintain, and enhance environmentally important lands and waters. Existing law authorizes the director of the corps, upon appropriation, to establish the Education and Employment Reentry Program within the corps and to enroll in the program formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew and were recommended for participation as a program member by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to legislative findings and declarations related to the Education and Employment Reentry Program.
Existing law establishes the California Conservation Corps and requires that young people participating in the corps program generally be engaged in projects that, among other things, preserve, maintain, and enhance environmentally important lands and waters. Existing law authorizes the director of the corps, upon appropriation, to establish the Education and Employment Reentry Program within the corps and to enroll in the program formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew and were recommended for participation as a program member by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to legislative findings and declarations related to the Education and Employment Reentry Program.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
SECTION 1. Section 14415 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.
14415. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Conserving or developing natural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters is essential for protecting the states environment, bolstering its economy, and providing safe and resilient communities for Californians to live in.
(2) The California Conservation Camp program operated jointly by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection provides work crews of incarcerated individuals to assist in all types of emergencies in support of the work of our frontline personnel during wildfires, floods, search and rescue, and earthquakes. When not assisting in emergencies, the crews participate in conservation and community service work projects for state, federal, and local government agencies.
(3) The corps is the oldest and largest state conservation corps in the nation that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both, tasking young people to protect and restore Californias environment, respond to disasters, and become stronger workers, citizens, and individuals through their service.
(4) The corps offers a unique opportunity to form strategic partnerships to provide valuable job opportunities in resource conservation, resource management, fuels and vegetation management, and emergency incident mitigation for formerly incarcerated individuals who successfully served on a California Conservation Camp program crew.
(5) Building on their valuable experience in the California Conservation Camp program, a segment of former California Conservation Camp program participants may be available to support the federal, state, and local governments, local publicly owned electric utilities and utilities, electrical corporations, fire safe councils, and private landowners in helping California meet its aggressive goals to do all of the following:
(A) Proactively restore forest health to reduce greenhouse gases.
(B) Protect source watersheds from which the states water supply originates.
(C) Promote the long-term storage of carbon in forest trees and soils.
(D) Minimize the loss of forest carbon from large, intense wildfires.
(E) Further the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).
(6) Research demonstrates that formerly incarcerated individuals who have low performance, involvement, and satisfaction with school or work are more likely to recidivate than individuals who do not exhibit these characteristics. Research also shows that rehabilitation programs, including substance use disorder treatment and employment preparation, can be designed to address specific criminal risk factors.
(7) While participating in the corps, corpsmembers are offered life skills training, training in environmental awareness and civic responsibility, as well as and reentry and counseling services, and gain access to high school courses through the corps existing contracts and cooperation with high schools and community colleges.
(8) Drawing upon on the expertise of the corps, collaborations and partnerships with workforce development programs and local and state agencies can be established to provide valuable job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, consistent with the expertise of the corps to increase awareness of and improve our natural resources, instill basic skills and a healthy work ethic, build character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, establish a workforce with a strong sense of civic responsibility, and blend academic and growth opportunities in order to develop productive citizens who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to serve the interests of all Californians by providing hope and opportunity for formerly incarcerated individuals by offering additional pathways to employment with a living wage in jobs that move the state forward on critical resource management objectives while providing those individuals the opportunity to make a difference for themselves and for the people of California.