BILL NUMBER: SB 1386	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wolk

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to add Section 9001.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to resource conservation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1386, as introduced, Wolk. Resource conservation: working and
natural lands.
    The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 designates
the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with
monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases.
The act requires all state agencies to consider and implement
strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
   This bill would declare it to be the policy of the state that the
protection and management of natural and working lands, as defined,
are a key strategy in meeting the state's greenhouse gas reduction
goals, and would require all relevant state agencies, departments,
boards, and commissions to consider this policy when revising,
adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, expenditures, and
grant criteria relating to the protection and management of natural
and working lands.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 9001.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   9001.5.  (a) It is the policy of the state that the protection and
management of natural and working lands are a key strategy in
meeting the state's greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. The
protection and management of those lands can result in the removal of
carbon from the atmosphere and the sequestration of carbon in,
above, and below the ground.
   (b) The protection and management of natural and working lands
provides multiple public benefits, including, but not limited to,
assisting with adaptation to the impacts of climate change, improving
water quality and quantity, flood protection, ensuring healthy fish
and wildlife populations, and providing recreational and economic
benefits.
   (c) All relevant state agencies, including the Natural Resources
Agency, the Department of Food and Agriculture, and the California
Environmental Protection Agency, and their respective departments,
boards, and commissions, shall consider the policy set forth in
subdivision (a) when revising, adopting, or establishing policies,
regulations, expenditures, and grant criteria relating to the
protection and management of natural and working lands.
   (d) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
following meanings:
   (1) "Working lands" means lands used for farming, grazing, or,
forest production purposes.
   (2) "Natural lands" means lands consisting of wetlands,
watersheds, wildlands, or wildlife habitat, or used for recreational
purposes such as parks, trails, greenbelts, and other open-space
land.