CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 556Introduced by Senator HurtadoFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 1350.5 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to habitat conservation, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 556, as introduced, Hurtado. Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, approved by the voters as Proposition 4 at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. The act makes available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, $870,000,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board for grant programs to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources and habitat and achieve the states biodiversity, public access, and conservation goals.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for the restoration and conservation of habitats along floodplains, as provided.This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1350.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 556Introduced by Senator HurtadoFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 1350.5 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to habitat conservation, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 556, as introduced, Hurtado. Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains.The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, approved by the voters as Proposition 4 at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. The act makes available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, $870,000,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board for grant programs to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources and habitat and achieve the states biodiversity, public access, and conservation goals.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for the restoration and conservation of habitats along floodplains, as provided.This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 556 Introduced by Senator HurtadoFebruary 20, 2025 Introduced by Senator Hurtado February 20, 2025 An act to add Section 1350.5 to the Fish and Game Code, relating to habitat conservation, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 556, as introduced, Hurtado. Habitat enhancement and restoration: floodplains. The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, approved by the voters as Proposition 4 at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. The act makes available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, $870,000,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board for grant programs to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources and habitat and achieve the states biodiversity, public access, and conservation goals.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for the restoration and conservation of habitats along floodplains, as provided.This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. The Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, approved by the voters as Proposition 4 at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election, authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance projects for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience, wildfire and forest resilience, coastal resilience, extreme heat mitigation, biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands, park creation and outdoor access, and clean air programs. The act makes available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, $870,000,000 to the Wildlife Conservation Board for grant programs to protect and enhance fish and wildlife resources and habitat and achieve the states biodiversity, public access, and conservation goals. This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for the restoration and conservation of habitats along floodplains, as provided. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. ## Digest Key ## Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 1350.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare.SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. 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 1350.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read:1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare. SECTION 1. Section 1350.5 is added to the Fish and Game Code, to read: ### SECTION 1. 1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare. 1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare. 1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings.(4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare. 1350.5. (a) Of the amount described in subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Fund to the Wildlife Conservation Board to support grant programs for habitat restoration and conservation projects on floodplains in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare that are consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 93010 of the Public Resources Code. (b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) for the following projects: (1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panoramic Vista Preserve in the County of Kern. (2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the restoration of Poso Creek in the County of Kern. (3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for restoration of the North and South forks of the Kings River in the County of Kings. (4) Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the enhancement and restoration of the Upper Kaweah River in the County of Tulare. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. SEC. 2. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare. ### SEC. 2.