Public resources trailer bill.

The California Assembly Budget Committee proposes sweeping changes to natural resource management and environmental programs through legislation that establishes new funding mechanisms while modifying existing regulatory frameworks. The measure authorizes the Natural Resources Agency to partner with nonprofit organizations on Holocaust memorial projects at Exposition Park, expands uses of environmental cleanup funds, and revises underground storage tank compliance programs.

The bill restructures several key environmental initiatives, including allowing the Bay Fill Clean-Up and Abatement Fund to support enforcement activities and related technology. It modifies grant and loan programs for underground storage tank projects, adjusting eligibility criteria and reimbursement provisions for tanks requiring permanent closure by December 2025. The Department of Water Resources gains authority to contract directly for habitat restoration work, with compensation tied to measurable environmental outcomes.

The legislation increases annual Highway Users Tax Account appropriations from $3.4 million to $12 million for state park road maintenance and authorizes the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to expand permanent firefighting personnel for hand crew staffing. Professional forester registration fees face upward adjustments, with application costs now ranging from $50 to $600 and renewal fees between $25 and $750 annually.

Implementation involves multiple state entities coordinating on grant administration, construction oversight, and regulatory compliance. The Department of General Services must review design plans and environmental standards for memorial projects, while the Water Resources Department establishes protocols for habitat restoration contracts. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage as a budget-related appropriations bill.