AB 444: California Defense Community Infrastructure Program.

Existing law establishes within state government the Office of Planning and Research as the comprehensive state planning agency for long-range planning and research. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, establishes within state government a Governors Military Council that serves under the direction of the Military Department to advise the Governor on efforts to retain military installations and operations within this state that are necessary for the defense of the nation and to coordinate and focus those efforts.

This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would establish the California Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which would require the Office of Planning and Research to grant funds and provide technical assistance to local agencies to assist with matching fund requirements in applications for funds from the federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program. The bill would require the office, in consultation with the Governors Military Council, to develop guidelines for the program that, where possible, align with the guidelines of the federal program.

This bill would require the office to use specified project criteria, define an eligible project, as specified, rank eligible projects, as specified, and award grants based on the available funds. The bill would require the office to give priority to projects located in, or that would provide services to people who live in, a disadvantaged community, as defined.