AB 2440: 30x30 goal: partnering state agencies: Department of Parks and Recreation.

By Executive Order No. N-82-20, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the Natural Resources Agency to combat the biodiversity and climate crises by, among other things, establishing the California Biodiversity Collaborative and conserving at least 30% of the states lands and coastal waters by 2030. Existing law provides that it is the goal of the state to conserve at least 30% of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030, known as the 30x30 goal. Existing law requires the Natural Resources Agency to prioritize specified actions, including partnering with federal agencies to leverage strategic funding and resources in achieving the 30x30 goal.

This bill would also require the agency to prioritize promoting and supporting partnering state agencies and departments that acquire and steward state land, including, but not limited to, the Department of Parks and Recreation, in the acquisition of new state land and responsible stewardship of state land, as feasible.

Existing law requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to prepare and submit, on or before March 31, 2024, and annually thereafter, a report to the Legislature on the progress made in the prior calendar year toward achieving the 30x30 goal. Existing law requires the report to include information on, among other things, (1) how and where state funding that was expended in the prior calendar year was used in furtherance of the 30x30 goal, including the amount of funding expended for land and water conservation, science and research, public outreach and engagement, and managing, monitoring, and restoring conserved lands and water and (2) the progress made in the prior year to address equity as part of the 30x30 goal, including state funding invested in specified things.

This bill would instead require the portion of the report concerning state funding expended in furtherance of the 30x30 goal to include information on the amount of funding expended by each partnering state agency and department for land and water conservation, science and research, public outreach and engagement, and managing, monitoring, and restoring conserved lands and water. The bill would also require the report to include information on state funding invested in equitable outdoor access.