AB 2216: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. Existing law requires the conservancy to act as a primary state agency to implement ecosystem restoration in the Delta and to support efforts that advance environmental protection and the economic well-being of Delta residents. Existing law specifies the composition of the governing board of the conservancy, including 11 voting members, and requires liaison advisers to serve in an advisory, nonvoting capacity. Existing law requires the conservancy to prepare and adopt a strategic plan to achieve the goals of the conservancy and requires the strategic plan to be consistent with certain plans. Existing law authorizes the conservancy to engage in partnerships with nonprofit organizations, local public agencies, and landowners, and authorizes the conservancy to provide grants and loans to state agencies, local public agencies, and nonprofit organizations to further the goals of the conservancy. Existing law establishes the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Fund in the State Treasury. Existing law makes moneys in the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of these provisions.

This bill would expand the area covered by the conservancy to include the Valley and Lake, as defined. The bill would rename the conservancy the Valley, Lake, and Delta Conservancy and make conforming changes. The bill would rename the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Fund the Delta Conservancy Fund and create the Valley and Lake Conservancy Fund in the State Treasury, moneys in which would be available upon appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of the conservancy in the Valley and Lake. The bill would add to the governing board one additional voting member who is appointed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors and one who is a tribal representative appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. By imposing additional requirements on the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would add one additional liaison adviser who is a designee of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and one who is a designee of the California Central Valley Flood Control Association. The bill would also authorize the conservancy to engage in partnerships with, and to award grants and loans to, tribal organizations. The bill would establish the Valley and Lake Program, under the administration of the conservancy, to support efforts that advance the environmental protection and the economic well-being of Valley and Lake residents.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.