BILL NUMBER: SB 1386	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 28, 2016

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 amended, 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   is  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   or
 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  
is  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   or  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,   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,  urban and community forests, 
trails, greenbelts, and other open-space land.  For purposes of
this paragraph, "parks" includes, but is not limited to, areas that
provide public green space.