Assembly BillVetoedPublic Resources
AB 2494: State forests: forest management.
What AB 2494 does, verified September 20, 2026
The bill aims to redefine the management of state forests to prioritize biodiversity conservation, wildfire resilience, and climate mitigation. It would allow for timber harvesting consistent with this definition and require the sale of timber and other forest products to occur in a sustainable manner. The bill would also repeal the authorization for mining on state forest lands and update regulations for grazing. Additionally, it would require the state to restore and reforest lands not being managed sustainably, and to respect California Native American tribal sovereignty in forest management. The bill would also require the state to retain its existing land base for research and demonstration purposes and to accept or acquire lands that are not being managed sustainably. The state would be required to deposit all revenue generated by forest products sales into the Timber Regulation a…
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Last action: Vetoed by Governor. (2026-09-18)Alert me
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Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions27 total · showing 5
| Sep. 18, 2026 | Vetoed by Governor. |
| Sep. 04, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 27, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 58. Noes 19. Page 6691.). |
| Aug. 27, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Aug. 26, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 28. Noes 10.). |
Latest bill textEnrolled version, September 1, 2026 · 5,766 words
| Enrolled September 01, 2026 |
| Passed IN Senate August 26, 2026 |
| Passed IN Assembly August 27, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate August 20, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate August 13, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate June 24, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2026 |
| Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2494
| Introduced by Assembly Member Rogers (Coauthors: Assembly Members Connolly and Zbur) (Coauthor: Senator McGuire) |
February 20, 2026 |
An act to amend Sections 4629.6, 4629.8, 4629.9, 4639, 4647, 4651, 4652, 4656, 4660, 4661, and 4663 of, to add Sections 4635.1 and 4635.2 to, and to repeal and add Sections 4631 and 4631.5 of, the Public Resources Code, relating to state forests.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2494, Rogers. State forests: forest management.
(1) Existing law authorizes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to engage in management of state forests and defines “management” for purposes of the state forests as a means of handling forest crop and forest soil to achieve maximum sustained production of high-quality forest products while giving consideration to values relating to, among other values, recreation, watershed, and wildlife, as provided.
This bill would redefine “management” for purposes of state forests as the handling of forest vegetation, water, and soils within the demonstration state forest system for public benefits, as described to include, among other things, watershed health and wildfire resilience.
(2) Existing law declares it is in the interest of the welfare of the people of the state and their industries and other activities involving the use of wood, lumber, poles, piling, wood pulp, and other forest products that desirable cutover forest lands be made fully productive and that the holding and reforestation of such lands is a necessary measure predicated on waning supplies of original old growth timber, as provided. Existing law further declares it is in the interest of the welfare of the people of the state that the state retain the existing land base of state forests in timber production for research and demonstration. Existing law requires the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, to, on or before January 10 of each year, submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee a report on the activities of all state departments, agencies, and boards relating to forest and timberland regulation. Existing law requires this report to include, among other things, the number of timber harvest plans reviewed in the most recent fiscal year, as specified, and the average time for plan review.
This bill would repeal these provisions and instead declare, among other things, that the purpose of the demonstration state forest system is to acquire lands, the reforestation or restoration of which is not assured under private ownership, to achieve the public benefits as described in paragraph (1) through means that include, but are not limited to, multibenefit forest management. The bill would authorize the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to enter into, and would require the secretary to make good faith efforts to collaboratively develop, comanagement agreements with California Native American tribes, as defined, to incorporate local traditional ecological knowledge and local indigenous knowledge into the management direction of a forest in the demonstration state forest system, as provided. The bill would require the annual report submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to also include the number of timber harvest plans approved in the most recent fiscal year and the median time for plan review and would make other nonsubstantive changes relating to the report.
The bill would require research to be allowed on land in the demonstration state forest system that informs forest management strategies, science-based decisionmaking, biodiversity, durable onsite carbon storage or sequestration, habitat, water and soil quality, watershed health, tribal stewardship, or other goals that further healthy and resilient ecosystems. The bill would authorize timber harvesting within the demonstration state forest system if in furtherance of specified objectives.
(3) Existing law requires the management of state forests and the cutting and sale of timber and other forest products from state forests to conform with regulations prepared by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and approved by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Existing law requires the regulations to conform with forest management practices designed to achieve maximum sustained production of high-quality forest products while giving consideration to values relating to, among other values, recreation, watershed, and wildlife, as specified. Existing law authorizes state forest lands to be used for grazing and mining purposes pursuant to regulations established by the board. Under existing law, a person who violates the rules and regulations pertaining to the state forests established by the board is guilty of a misdemeanor.
The bill would instead require the management of demonstration state forests and the cutting and sale of timber and other forest products from demonstration state forests to conform with regulations prepared by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection and approved by the board. The bill would repeal the authorization for state forest lands to be used for mining purposes, except as provided. The bill would require the regulations permitting prescribed herbivory, recreation concession, and surface mining for forest-related work and restoration purposes, including, but not limited to, the construction of watercourse crossings, on state forest lands to be updated to reflect the redefinition of management. Because a violation of these regulations would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the department to prepare a map and data relating to the forest conditions, as provided. Existing law requires the department, in preparing the map and data, to be guided by a specified report.
This bill would require the department to be guided by consultation with the board instead of by the specified report.
Existing law declares that it is the policy of the state to establish and preserve an intensively managed, multifaceted research forest, known as the Soquel Demonstration State Forest, which is representative of forest activities as a living forest in the County of Santa Cruz, as provided. Existing law establishes the Legislature’s intent relating to the demonstration state forest. Existing law requires that income from the demonstration state forest property sustain all costs of operation and provide income for research and educational purposes. Existing law requires the department to adopt a general plan for the demonstration state forest, as provided.
This bill would instead declare that it is the policy of the state to establish and conserve the Soquel Demonstration State Forest and would revise the Legislature’s intent relating to the demonstration state forest, as provided. The bill would require that income from the demonstration state forest property to additionally provide income for recreation. The bill would require the board, instead of the department, to adopt a forest management plan for the demonstration state forest, as specified.
(4) Existing law authorizes the department to collect recreational user fees for overnight camping and reserved group activities in a demonstration state forest. Existing law prohibits the department from charging a fee that exceeds the amount necessary to reimburse the department’s costs for maintenance and improvement of campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto. Existing law requires all user fees collected by the department to be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund and requires the fees to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to reimburse the department’s cost of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto. Under existing law, the Forest Resources Improvement Fund is the depository for all revenue derived from the receipts from the sale of forest products, as defined, from state forests to support specified operations. Existing law authorizes money in the Forest Resource Improvement Fund to only be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the cost of operations associated with management of lands held in trust by the state and operated as demonstration state forests, as specified.
This bill would repeal the prohibition on the department regarding charging a fee that exceeds the amount necessary to reimburse the department’s costs for maintenance and improvement, as provided. The bill would require any other funds generated by a demonstration state forest to be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund.
(5) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 4629.6 and 4629.8 of the Public Resources Code proposed by AB 706 to be operative only if this bill and AB 706 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
(6) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California faces significant challenges related to biodiversity, climate change, wildfire-resilient forests, postfire recovery of forests, and public access to nature, and has set statewide strategies for addressing those challenges, including the nature-based climate solution climate targets, the California Forest Carbon Plan, the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, the State Air Resources Board’s Natural and Working Lands Carbon Inventory and Scoping Plan, Pathways to 30x30 biodiversity conservation targets, the Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan, and the Outdoors for All Initiative. Lands that are owned and managed by the state should make a greater contribution toward reaching these goals than privately owned lands.
(b) California seeks to develop management strategies to promote science-based decisionmaking that addresses diverse goals and objectives for landowners and forest managers, while promoting healthy forests that are resilient to disturbance.
(c) Demonstrating land management tools for small public, private, tribal, and nongovernmental landowners improves the ability of landowners to manage forested lands for ecosystem health.
(d) The Demonstration State Forest system provides for a living laboratory to exhibit tools available to manage forests in a variety of stand conditions and to test research hypotheses that may advise management techniques or supply information on forest health.
(e) It is in the interest of the state to restore ecosystem conditions and functions in demonstration state forest lands and to develop or maintain stand conditions that reduce vulnerability to disturbance.
(f) Demonstration state forests are public lands and important recreation assets, and should be managed to support recreational opportunities.
(g) It is the policy of the state to respect California Native American tribal sovereignty and to seek opportunities for comanagement and integration of local indigenous traditional ecological knowledge in forest management.
(h) The state recognizes the value of partnerships among tribes, local communities, nonprofit stewardship organizations, educational institutions, recreation interests, and public agencies in advancing forest stewardship, ecological restoration, public access, tribal cultural resource protection, and long-term forest resilience.
(i) It is the policy of the state to accept or acquire lands, the reforestation or restoration of which is not assured under private ownership, to restore those lands for resiliency to disturbance and improved ecosystem function.
(j) It is the policy of the state to encourage the prudent and responsible management of California’s forest resources to meet the public’s need for forest products.
(k) It is the policy of the state to protect old growth trees.
(l) The creation of stand conditions that are resilient to disturbance provides for multiple cobenefits relating to carbon capture, water and soil health, species diversity, recreational opportunities, and research.
SEC. 2.
Section 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4629.6.
Moneys deposited in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only be expended for the following purposes:(a) To reimburse the State Board of Equalization for its administrative costs associated with the administration, collection, audit, and issuance of refunds related to the lumber products and engineered wood assessment established pursuant to Section 4629.5.
(b) To pay refunds issued pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(c) To support the activities and costs of the department, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Water Resources Control Board, and regional water quality control boards associated with the review of projects or permits necessary to conduct timber operations. On or after July 1, 2013, except for fees applicable for fire prevention or protection within state responsibility area classified lands or timber yield assessments, no currently authorized or required fees shall be charged by the agencies listed in this subdivision for activities or costs associated with the review of a project, inspection and oversight of projects, and permits necessary to conduct timber operations of those departments and boards.
(d) For transfer to the department’s Forest Improvement Program for forest resources improvement grants and projects administered by the department pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790) and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4799.06) of Part 2.5.
(e) To fund existing restoration grant programs, with priority given to the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program administered by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and grant programs administered by state conservancies.
(f) (1) As a loan to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for activities to address environmental damage occurring on forest lands resulting from marijuana cultivation. Not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) may be loaned from the fund in a fiscal year pursuant to this paragraph. This paragraph shall become inoperative on July 1, 2017.
(2) Any funds deposited into the fund pursuant to subdivision (d) or (f) of Section 12025 or subdivision (b), (c), (e), or (f) of Section 12025.1 of the Fish and Game Code shall be credited toward loan repayment.
(3) Moneys from the General Fund shall not be used to repay a loan authorized pursuant to this subdivision.
(g) To support demonstration state forests, as a supplemental source, if necessary, to the moneys provided by the Forest Resources Improvement Fund, as established pursuant to Section 4799.13, as needed.
(h) To the department for fuel treatment grants and projects pursuant to authorities under the Wildland Fire Protection and Resources Management Act of 1978 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 4461) of Chapter 7).
(i) To the department to provide grants to local agencies responsible for fire protection, qualified nonprofits, recognized tribes, local and state governments, and resources conservation districts, undertaken on a state responsibility area (SRA) or on wildlands not in an SRA that pose a threat to the SRA, to reduce the costs of wildland fire suppression, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote adaptation of forested landscapes to changing climate, improve forest health, and protect homes and communities.
(j) To the Natural Resources Agency to provide a reasonable per diem for attendance at a meeting of the advisory body for the state’s forest practice program by a member of the body who is not an employee of a government agency.
SEC. 2.5.
Section 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4629.6.
Moneys deposited in the fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only be expended for the following purposes:(a) To reimburse the State Board of Equalization for its administrative costs associated with the administration, collection, audit, and issuance of refunds related to the lumber products and engineered wood assessment established pursuant to Section 4629.5.
(b) To pay refunds issued pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(c) To support the activities and costs of the department, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Water Resources Control Board, and regional water quality control boards associated with the review of projects or permits necessary to conduct timber operations. On or after July 1, 2013, except for fees applicable for fire prevention or protection within state responsibility area classified lands or timber yield assessments, no currently authorized or required fees shall be charged by the agencies listed in this subdivision for activities or costs associated with the review of a project, inspection and oversight of projects, and permits necessary to conduct timber operations of those departments and boards.
(d) For transfer to the department’s Forest Improvement Program for forest resources improvement grants and projects administered by the department pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790) and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4799.06) of Part 2.5.
(e) To fund existing restoration grant programs, with priority given to the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program administered by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and grant programs administered by state conservancies.
(f) To fund costs directly associated with only the administration, staffing, and creation of the “FOREST Fund” and “FOREST Program” as defined in Section 4773.1, not to exceed the fee revenue allocated for these purposes.
(g) To support demonstration state forests, as a supplemental source, if necessary, to the moneys provided by the Forest Resources Improvement Fund, as established pursuant to Section 4799.13, as needed.
(h) To the department for fuel treatment grants and projects pursuant to authorities under the Wildland Fire Protection and Resources Management Act of 1978 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 4461) of Chapter 7).
(i) To the department to provide grants to local agencies responsible for fire protection, qualified nonprofits, recognized tribes, local and state governments, and resources conservation districts, undertaken on a state responsibility area (SRA) or on wildlands not in an SRA that pose a threat to the SRA, to reduce the costs of wildland fire suppression, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote adaptation of forested landscapes to changing climate, improve forest health, and protect homes and communities.
(j) To the Natural Resources Agency to provide a reasonable per diem for attendance at a meeting of the advisory body for the state’s forest practice program by a member of the body who is not an employee of a government agency.
SEC. 3.
Section 4629.8 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4629.8.
(a) Funds deposited in the fund shall be appropriated in accordance with the following priorities:(1) First priority shall be for funding associated with the administration and delivery of responsibilities identified in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(2) Only after paragraph (1) is funded, the second priority shall be, if deposits are sufficient in future years to maintain the fund, by 2016, at a minimum reserve of four million dollars ($4,000,000), for use and appropriation by the Legislature in years during which revenues to the account are projected to fall short of the ongoing budget allocations for support of the activities identified in paragraph (1).
(3) Only after paragraphs (1) and (2) are funded, the third priority shall be in support of activities designated in subdivisions (d) to (f), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(4) Only after paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, are funded, the fourth priority shall be to support the activities designated in subdivisions (g) to (j), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(b) Funds shall not be used to pay for or reimburse any requirements, including mitigation of a project proponent or applicant, as a condition of any permit.
SEC. 3.5.
Section 4629.8 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4629.8.
(a) Funds deposited in the fund shall be appropriated in accordance with the following priorities:(1) First priority shall be for funding associated with the administration and delivery of responsibilities identified in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(2) Only after paragraph (1) is funded, the second priority shall be, if deposits are sufficient in future years to maintain the fund, by 2016, at a minimum reserve of four million dollars ($4,000,000), for use and appropriation by the Legislature in years during which revenues to the account are projected to fall short of the ongoing budget allocations for support of the activities identified in paragraph (1).
(3) Only after paragraphs (1) and (2) are funded, the third priority shall be in support of activities designated in subdivisions (d) to (f), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(4) Only after paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, are funded, the fourth priority shall be to support the activities designated in subdivisions (g) to (j), inclusive, of Section 4629.6.
(b) A purpose identified in a lower priority paragraph of subdivision (a) shall not receive an appropriation, allocation, transfer, encumbrance, or expenditure from the fund in a fiscal year unless each purpose identified in the higher priority paragraphs of subdivision (a) has first been funded for that fiscal year.
(c) Funds shall not be used to pay for or reimburse any requirements, including mitigation of a project proponent or applicant, as a condition of any permit.
SEC. 4.
Section 4629.9 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4629.9.
(a) On January 10, and annually thereafter on January 10, in conjunction with the Governor’s Budget, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, in consultation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, shall submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee a report on the activities of all state departments, agencies, and boards relating to forest and timberland regulation. This report shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:(1) A listing, by organization, of the proposed total costs associated with the review, approval, and inspection of timber harvest plans and associated permits.
(2) The number of timber harvest plans, and acreage covered by the plans, reviewed and approved in the most recent fiscal year.
(3) To the extent feasible, a listing of activities, personnel, and funding, by department, for the forest practice program for the most recent fiscal year, and the preceding 10 fiscal years.
(4) The number of staff in each organization dedicated fully or partially to (A) review of timber harvest plans, and (B) other forestry-related activities, by geographical location in the state.
(5) The costs of other forestry-related activities undertaken.
(6) A summary of any process improvements identified by the administration as part of ongoing review of the timber harvest process, including data and technology improvement needs.
(7) Workload analysis for the forest practice program in each organization.
(8) In order to assess efficiencies in the program and the effectiveness of spending, a set of measures for, and a plan for collection of data on, the program, including, but not limited to:
(A) The number of timber harvest plans reviewed.
(B) Average and median time for plan review.
(C) Number of field inspections per inspector.
(D) Number of acres under active plans.
(E) Number of violations.
(F) Evaluating ecological performance.
(b) A report required to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
SEC. 5.
Section 4631 of the Public Resources Code is repealed.SEC. 6.
Section 4631 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4631.
(a) The purpose of the demonstration state forest system is to acquire lands, the reforestation or restoration of which is not assured under private ownership, to achieve the public benefit as described in Section 4639 through means that include, but are not limited to, multibenefit forest management.(b) Research on the demonstration state forest system shall inform management strategies that promote science-based decisionmaking addressing diverse goals and objectives, while promoting healthy forests that are resilient to disturbance.
(c) The demonstration state forests are to be managed for habitat and ecosystem conditions that provide a foundation for robust research programs, including, but not limited to, those that develop or maintain mature forest conditions. For purposes of this subdivision, “managed” shall have the same meaning as “management” in Section 4639.
(d) The state recognizes the importance of long-term management research and, in addition to providing demonstration state forests as living laboratories, the state shall endeavor to provide an appropriate level of staffing to support project development, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance.
SEC. 7.
Section 4631.5 of the Public Resources Code is repealed.SEC. 8.
Section 4631.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4631.5.
(a) The secretary may enter into, and shall make good faith efforts to collaboratively develop, comanagement agreements with California Native American tribes to incorporate local traditional ecological knowledge and local indigenous knowledge into the management direction of a forest in the demonstration state forest system. All such California Native American tribes are recognized as sovereign entities under the inherent right of self-governance affirmed by Section 65352.4 of the Government Code, Executive Order No. B-10-11, and Executive Order No. N-15-19, regardless of federal recognition status. Comanagement agreements shall further the tribal engagement and leadership objectives described in subdivision (d) of Section 71451.(b) Research shall be allowed on land in the demonstration state forest system that informs forest management strategies, science-based decisionmaking, biodiversity, durable onsite carbon storage or sequestration, habitat, water and soil quality, watershed health, tribal stewardship, or other goals that further healthy and resilient ecosystems.
(c) Timber harvesting within the demonstration state forest system may occur if in furtherance of any of the following objectives:
(1) Research in pursuit of the goals identified in subdivision (b).
(2) The demonstration of management strategies, in pursuit of the goals identified in Section 4631, available to nonindustrial landowners, including, but not limited to, public, private, tribal, or nongovernmental organization-owned lands.
(3) The application of proven techniques, as well as testing novel or emerging management approaches, to address vulnerable stand conditions and restore them to resilient ecosystems.
(d) Demonstration state forests shall reasonably provide for recreation opportunities, including camping, bicycling, equestrian access, hiking, foraging, and other activities as deemed appropriate by the board.
(e) This section does not limit the use of forest management practices authorized under the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511)) and the California Forest Practice Rules (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 895) of Division 1.5 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations) to achieving the objectives of this section or Section 4631.
(f) (1) All projects, including research and timber harvest plans, shall be designed to balance the public benefits listed in subdivision (b) of Section 4639. The department shall provide for a variety of project designs that balance these public benefits across each demonstration state forest.
(2) Projects shall be designed to provide multiple public benefits, but a project need not accomplish all public benefits. After giving due consideration to the public benefits as coequal objectives during project design, a given public benefit or benefits may be prioritized over others to achieve the objectives of Section 4631.
(g) (1) The department shall annually report to the board, at one of its regularly scheduled meetings, progress towards meeting the goals identified in the board-approved forest management plans and any other information the board may request.
(2) Metrics or targets used to track progress may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Invasive species control.
(B) Durable onsite carbon storage and sequestration.
(C) Acres treated with prescribed fire.
(D) Wildlife and vegetation monitoring, habitat connectivity, climate data, water quality, or other climate and biodiversity indicators monitored by the state.
(h) The state shall cooperate with local governments in mitigating the impacts on school enrollment of geothermal development that occurs in proximity to state-owned forest lands.
SEC. 9.
Section 4635.1 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4635.1.
“California Native American tribe” has the same meaning as in Section 21073.SEC. 10.
Section 4635.2 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:4635.2.
“Comanagement” means a collaborative effort established through an agreement in which two or more sovereigns mutually negotiate, define, and allocate amongst themselves the sharing of management functions and responsibilities for ancestral lands and waters in a given territory or area.SEC. 11.
Section 4639 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4639.
(a) “Management” means the handling of forest vegetation, water, and soils within the demonstration state forest system for public benefits.(b) For purposes of this section, “public benefits” includes, but are not limited to, biodiversity conservation and habitat, durable onsite carbon storage and sequestration, climate resiliency and adaptation, ecosystem function, recreation, watershed health, wildfire resilience, and a living laboratory for ecological research.
(c) This section does not preclude the use of beneficial or cultural fire practices.
SEC. 12.
Section 4647 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4647.
The department shall prepare a map setting forth the boundaries of purchase areas, and shall prepare data relating to the forest conditions within these areas. In the preparation of the map and data the department shall be guided by, but not be limited to, consultation with the board. The department shall make the necessary surveys, examinations, appraisals, inventories, and title searches and obtain other pertinent data and information bearing on tracts of forest land offered for sale for state forest purposes.SEC. 13.
Section 4651 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4651.
(a) The management of state demonstration forests and the cutting and sale of timber and other forest products from demonstration state forests shall conform to regulations prepared by the director and approved by the board.(b) The regulations may establish a preference for small or local sawmills.
SEC. 14.
Section 4652 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4652.
(a) The department may collect recreational user fees for overnight camping and reserved group activities in a demonstration state forest.(b) All recreational user fees received by the department during each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund and shall be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to reimburse the department’s cost of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto.
(c) Receipts from the sales of forest products and recreational user fees shall be deposited monthly with the State Treasurer in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund. The Controller shall keep a record of accounts of such receipts separately.
(d) Any other funds generated by a demonstration state forest shall be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund.
SEC. 15.
Section 4656 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4656.
(a) This chapter does not interfere with the reasonable use of state forests for hunting, fishing, foraging, recreation, and camping, except as otherwise provided by law.(b) The use of state forest lands for prescribed herbivory, recreation concession, and surface mining for forest-related work and restoration purposes, including, but not limited to, the construction of watercourse crossings, shall be permitted pursuant to regulations established by the board in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and reflect the definition of “management” in Section 4639. The use and development of water facilities for irrigation and power shall be permitted as provided by law.
SEC. 16.
Section 4660 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4660.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 4631, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to establish and conserve a managed, multifaceted research forest, which is representative of forest activities as a living forest in the County of Santa Cruz within northern California’s coastal redwood belt. The coast redwoods, as the dominant tree species in this area, are a valuable natural resource and are unique in North America for their beauty, abundance, diversity, and public accessibility, and their extreme beauty and economic value requires special measures for their protection and conservation for the use, enjoyment, and education of the public.(b) It is the intent of the Legislature, in establishing the Soquel Demonstration State Forest, to provide an environment that will do all of the following:
(1) Provide watershed protection for local communities and base-line monitoring and studies of the hazards, risks, and benefits of forest operations and watersheds to urban areas.
(2) Provide public education and examples illustrating compatible rural land uses, including sustained yield timber production, as well as the historic and current innovations of timber operations and other forest management techniques, within the context of local community protection and nearby pressures.
(3) Provide a resource for the public, environmental groups, elected officials, environmental planners, the educational community, and the media as an open environment for the inspection and study of environmental education, forestry practices, and effects thereof.
(4) Protect old growth redwood trees.
SEC. 17.
Section 4661 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4661.
The department may permit a limited amount of commercial timber operations on the property within the Soquel Demonstration State Forest in order to provide funds for the maintenance and operation of the demonstration state forest and to allow fulfillment of the objectives of Section 4660. Income from the demonstration state forest property shall sustain costs of operation and provide income for research, recreation, and educational purposes.SEC. 18.
Section 4663 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:4663.
The board, in coordination with the advisory committee, shall adopt a forest management plan for the demonstration state forest that reflects the long-range development and forest management activities to provide for the optimum use and enjoyment of the living forest, as provided in Section 4660, as well as the protection of its quality and watersheds within the Santa Cruz area. The advisory committee shall approve the forest management plan before adoption by the board.SEC. 19.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.SEC. 20.
(a) Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 706. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Sections 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 706, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.(b) Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4629.8 of the Public Resources Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 706. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 4629.8 of the Public Resources Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 706, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
Text of AB 2494 as enrolled, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions