Bill > AB679

This bill addresses land acquisition processes for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks in the wake of the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Wildfire. Specifically, the bill modifies existing government code to streamline the process of transferring high-priority lands to the Department of Parks and Recreation by exempting these parks from certain state property acquisition requirements until January 1, 2031. The legislation aims to help the department quickly acquire additional lands to support park reconstruction, improve visitor services, enhance habitat connectivity, and increase climate resilience. Key provisions include allowing the department to acquire property more efficiently, requiring that purchased land be appraised at fair market value by a licensed real estate appraiser, mandating appraisal review by the Department of General Services, and ensuring all property-related contracts are reviewed and approved. The bill is motivated by the extensive damage caused by the wildfire, which burned the entirety of Big Basin Redwoods State Park and portions of Butano and Año Nuevo State Parks, and seeks to provide a more agile framework for park restoration and development.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB679