California Trails Conservancy Program.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not explicitly state that it will create a California Trails Conservancy, only that future legislation is intended.

California Trails Program

The bill establishes a program called the California Trails Conservancy Program, which aims to improve and expand environmentally friendly trails and greenways in California.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes the California Trails Conservancy Program within the Natural Resources Agency.
• Sets goals for the program including promoting enhanced and expanded environmentally sound greenways and trail networks.
• Authorizes the agency to form an ad hoc working group with specified members, including a representative from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Delegates administration of the program to the Deputy Secretary for Access in the Natural Resources Agency.
• Requires at least 35% of funding to go towards projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Natural Resources Agency and its departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions.
• Communities in California that benefit from trail improvements and greenways.

Terms To Know

Natural Resources Agency

A part of the government responsible for restoring, protecting, and managing natural and cultural resources.

Disadvantaged communities

Communities where people might have less money or fewer opportunities compared to others.

Limits and Unknowns

• The program will only start if the Legislature gives it funding.
• Future legislation is planned to create a California Trails Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency, but this bill does not do so.

Official Summary Text

SB 287, as amended, Arreguín.
California Trails Conservancy.
California Trails Conservancy Program.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.
This bill would establish in the agency the California Trails Conservancy Program. The bill would require the program to have specified purposes, including promoting enhanced and expanded environmentally sound greenways and trail networks. If the agency determines that it would benefit these purposes, the bill would authorize the agency to establish an ad hoc working group with specified members, including a representative from the Department of Parks and Recreation. The bill would authorize the agency to delegate administration of the
program to the agency’s Deputy Secretary for Access. The bill would also authorize the agency to administer funding for priority projects, as defined, through existing or new grants or competitive grant programs and would require that no less than 35% percent of the funding administered by the agency for the purposes of the program be allocated to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities, as defined.
This bill would make these provisions operative only upon an appropriation by the Legislature for its purposes.
Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.
This bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to create the California Trails Conservancy within the Natural Resources Agency.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF