Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks.

Assembly Member Pellerin's proposal to streamline property acquisitions for three California state parks responds to reconstruction needs following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Wildfire, which severely impacted Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks. The legislation exempts the Department of Parks and Recreation from standard State Public Works Board oversight when acquiring properties for these parks through January 1, 2036.

The bill establishes specific requirements for property transactions under this exemption. All acquisitions must occur at or below fair market value, as determined by licensed real estate appraisers and approved by the Department of General Services. The Department of Parks and Recreation must initiate purchase negotiations within six months for certain acquisitions and twelve months for others, following fund appropriation. The department must notify legislative committees if acquisitions remain incomplete after these periods.

This targeted modification to state property acquisition procedures stems from the parks' post-fire planning process. The Department of Parks and Recreation's assessment identified needs to relocate visitor facilities away from sensitive ecological areas and enhance connectivity between the three parks. The bill's authors note that current acquisition procedures through the State Public Works Board can delay land purchases, particularly when working with non-governmental conservation partners.