Bill > AB1311

This bill establishes a $400 million grant program within the California Rangeland, Grazing Land, and Grassland Protection Program to support the conservation of privately owned rangelands and working lands. The funding comes from the 2024 Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act and aims to help California achieve its 30x30 conservation goal (conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030). The bill will provide grants to eligible land trusts and organizations to acquire conservation easements on qualified properties that support food and fiber production, ecosystem services like wildfire fuel reduction, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and maintaining open vistas. The funds will be regionally allocated across California, with specific dollar amounts designated for different regions ranging from $5 million to $95 million. To be eligible, organizations must be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, demonstrate the capacity to acquire and monitor conservation easements, and complete easement acquisitions by June 30, 2029. The bill highlights the importance of California's rangelands, which support biodiversity, provide habitat for wildlife, contribute to the state's agricultural economy, and offer critical ecosystem services.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1311