AB-721
Natural Resources & Water

Huron Hawk Conservancy.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage 3,000 acres of public land near Huron for recreation and wildlife protection.
  • Creates a 12-member governing board with representatives from local, state and public stakeholders.
  • Authorizes the conservancy to acquire land, award grants, and develop recreational and educational programs.
  • Establishes a dedicated state fund to finance conservancy operations through public and private contributions.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's legislation establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage and protect a 3,000-acre area north of Huron, California, transforming the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin into a regional park and nature reserve. The conservancy, operating within the Natural Resources Agency, would acquire and manage public lands for recreation, wildlife habitat restoration, and educational purposes.

The bill creates a 12-member governing board comprising local, state, and public representatives, including officials from Fresno County, the City of Huron, and state environmental agencies. Three public members would be appointed through a structured nomination process involving local nonprofit organizations focused on conservation and environmental justice. The board requires six members for a quorum and five affirmative votes for binding decisions.

The conservancy would receive funding through a dedicated state treasury fund, accepting revenues from member agencies, grants, and private contributions. While authorized to acquire property from willing sellers at fair market value, the conservancy cannot levy taxes, regulate land use, or exercise eminent domain. The legislation enables the conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations, manage facilities, coordinate volunteers, and enter agreements with other entities for land management.

The area's transformation builds upon a 2022 initiative when Huron officials sought National Park Service assistance to develop the site, which is currently owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and co-managed by the Department of Water Resources. The legislation requires local agencies to participate in board appointments and governance, creating new administrative responsibilities that qualify for state mandate reimbursement.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage 3,000 acres of public land near Huron for recreation and wildlife protection.
  • Creates a 12-member governing board with representatives from local, state and public stakeholders.
  • Authorizes the conservancy to acquire land, award grants, and develop recreational and educational programs.
  • Establishes a dedicated state fund to finance conservancy operations through public and private contributions.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's legislation establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage and protect a 3,000-acre area north of Huron, California, transforming the San Luis Canal Westside Detention Basin into a regional park and nature reserve. The conservancy, operating within the Natural Resources Agency, would acquire and manage public lands for recreation, wildlife habitat restoration, and educational purposes.

The bill creates a 12-member governing board comprising local, state, and public representatives, including officials from Fresno County, the City of Huron, and state environmental agencies. Three public members would be appointed through a structured nomination process involving local nonprofit organizations focused on conservation and environmental justice. The board requires six members for a quorum and five affirmative votes for binding decisions.

The conservancy would receive funding through a dedicated state treasury fund, accepting revenues from member agencies, grants, and private contributions. While authorized to acquire property from willing sellers at fair market value, the conservancy cannot levy taxes, regulate land use, or exercise eminent domain. The legislation enables the conservancy to award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations, manage facilities, coordinate volunteers, and enter agreements with other entities for land management.

The area's transformation builds upon a 2022 initiative when Huron officials sought National Park Service assistance to develop the site, which is currently owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and co-managed by the Department of Water Resources. The legislation requires local agencies to participate in board appointments and governance, creating new administrative responsibilities that qualify for state mandate reimbursement.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assembly Member
Committee Member