Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025 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. conservation.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 556, as amended, 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.Existing law establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board administers various habitat conservation and restoration programs.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the sum of $43,000,000 to be allocated to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated conservation on 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: YESNO 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare.
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025 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. conservation.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 556, as amended, 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.Existing law establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board administers various habitat conservation and restoration programs.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the sum of $43,000,000 to be allocated to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated conservation on 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: YESNO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 28, 2025
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. conservation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 556, as amended, 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.Existing law establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board administers various habitat conservation and restoration programs.This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the sum of $43,000,000 to be allocated to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated conservation on 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.
Existing law establishes the Wildlife Conservation Board within the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Under existing law, the board administers various habitat conservation and restoration programs.
This bill would, from the above-described bond funds made available to the board, appropriate $43,000,000 would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the sum of $43,000,000 to be allocated to the board to support projects in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated conservation on 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of forty-three million dollars ($43,000,000) shall be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for floodplain acquisition, habitat restoration, and associated 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. Tulare.
(b) The Wildlife Conservation Board shall allocate the funds described in subdivision (a) to River Partners for the following projects:
(1) Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the enhancement of the Panorama Vista Preserve in the City of Bakersfield and County of Kern.
(2) Twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along Poso Creek in the County of Kern.
(3) Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for the acquisition and restoration of floodplains along 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 floodplains along 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 uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion 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 uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion 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 uncontrolled flooding and groundwater depletion circumstances existing at the various waterways in the Counties of Kern, Kings, and Tulare.
### SEC. 2.